Mapping Freedom: Uncovering Black Histories in London

Researchers at Weldon Library are currently working to recover the histories of formerly enslaved peoples who settled in London, Canada West during the mid-nineteenth century. The Black Londoners Project (BLP) has been using oral testimonies, archival materials, and Geographic information systems (GIS) to trace the movement of these peoples and families and provide an account of Black life in nineteenth-century London Ontario.

The project exhibits the importance of uncovering the histories and contributions of Black communities. One of the figures studied in the project, Mrs. Brown, was a boarding-house keeper who helped other Black refugees find employment and safe housing in London. Her significant contributions to the social and economic resilience of the community demonstrates the importance of re-discovering and celebrating Black histories. 

The BLP honors the agency and lives of Londoners who contributed to the local community in the face of systemic oppression. They’ve mapped out Black-owned businesses and homes which were foundational to London’s urban development, and used oral testimonies to capture the experiences of Black family life and  community building.

Black History Month serves as a reminder that Black histories play an essential role in shaping our local and national identities. By uncovering and celebrating these histories, we acknowledge that the Black Londoners of the mid-nineteenth century have helped build the vibrant and diverse London we know today. 

Learn More: https://black-londoners-westernu.hub.arcgis.com/ 

Bella Buckley is the appointed VP Affairs from January-April 2026. Previously she was the AVP Student Affairs and Philosophy Department Representative in the General Assembly.