A monumental international trek retracing the steps of freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad will make several stops in Windsor-Essex. The team of walkers set out from Sandy Spring, Maryland, in May on a journey timed to coincide with America’s 250th birthday.
Journey Details and Purpose
Dubbed #FreedomWalk2026, the modern-day retracing of the Underground Railroad to Canada commemorates the brave freedom-seekers, self-liberators, abolitionists, and their secret networks, according to organizers. Historian Anthony Michael Cohen, who first walked the route in 1996, is leading the team. He also founded the Menare Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Underground Railroad.
Cohen and the rest of the team left Sandy Spring on May 4, the 30th anniversary of the start of Cohen’s original walk. Travelling about 1,200 kilometres by foot, boat, and rail — modes of transport used by original freedom seekers — they crossed the Rainbow Bridge into Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Canada Day.
Ontario Stops and Events
After crossing into Canada, the team began a motorized journey through towns and cities of Southern Ontario on their way to Amherstburg from July 4 to 11. The Harriet Tubman Journey to Freedom statue, depicting the famed abolitionist on a harrowing rescue mission, is along for the ride. In addition to photo ops with the statue, the Ontario stops will include lectures, artistic performances, heritage tours, and film screenings.
The tour will arrive at Lakeshore’s John Freeman Walls Historic Site & Museum on July 10, with events running from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The team will then set up at Sandwich First Baptist Church in Windsor on July 10 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The journey ends at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum on July 11, with events running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
How to Follow and Learn More
You can keep tabs on #FreedomWalk2026 on Instagram @freedomwalk2026 and on Facebook at FreedomWalk2026. For more information about #FreedomWalk2026, go to the Menare Foundation website.
