Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum will continue to promote the Chatham-Kent areas most important and prominent Black histories.

The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history of Chatham-Kent’s Black Community and their influence across North America. Located inside the JG Taylor Community Centre - also known as the WISH Centre:

The Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society and Black Mecca Museum, a Non-Profit Organization is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history of Chatham-Kent’s Black Community and their influence across North America. Our organization aims to educate the residents of Chatham-Kent and visitors from a round the globe about the legacy left by the early Black pioneers and refugees who helped to build the city. Walking tours are available of the historically Black neighbourhood of Chatham, weather permitting.

On Thursday, October 15th, 2026, the 1934 Chatham Coloured All-Stars were celebrated as inductees into the Ontario Sport...
10/20/2026

On Thursday, October 15th, 2026, the 1934 Chatham Coloured All-Stars were celebrated as inductees into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

Blake Harding, son of Wilfred “Boomer” Harding, who played on the championship team in 1934, was there to accept the Conacher Family Heritage Award and speak on the team’s behalf. Blake has worked with the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society throughout the years to share the story of his father’s team and their accomplishments, and we were honoured to be able to share this moment with him.

It was a great honour to see the team get recognition and appreciation for their accomplishments, and the barriers they faced on the road to victory.

The award is currently on display at the Black Mecca Museum, and can be viewed in the “Arts and Culture” display case.

Thank you to all of you who showed your support for the 1934 Chatham Coloured All-Stars, whether it was attending the annual Field of Honour Baseball games, or writing letters. This has been another big step towards making sure their story is never forgotten.

Today marks the anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, in 1859. John Brown was an American a...
10/16/2026

Today marks the anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, in 1859.

John Brown was an American abolitionist who made Chatham the meeting grounds for his conventions. He famously invited settlers in Chatham to First Baptist Church to discuss the raid. Historical Figures like James Monroe "Gunsmith" Jones and Dr. Martin Delaney were in attendance.

Another man in attendance was Osborn Perry Anderson (Second Image), who was the only individual from Chatham who joined John Brown's mission.

Anderson was the last surviving member of the raid, and wrote a first hand account titled "A Voice From Harper's Ferry", sharing details about the raid.

10/16/2026

⚾ A story worth telling. A legacy worth remembering.

For more than a decade, LKDSB educator Samantha Meredith has helped share the remarkable story of the Chatham Coloured All-Stars, bringing their history and legacy to classrooms, books, research, presentations and communities.

This week, that story reached another incredible milestone as the Chatham Coloured All-Stars were inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. 🏆

From her early work with the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum to her role today as an educator at John McGregor Secondary School, Sammi has remained passionate about ensuring this important piece of Chatham-Kent and Canadian history continues to reach new generations.

Her work is also a wonderful reminder of what educators bring to our students beyond the curriculum: their passions, experiences, connections and commitment to the communities around them. 💚

Congratulations to the Chatham Coloured All-Stars on this well-deserved recognition, and to Samantha for the role she has played in helping keep their remarkable story alive.

👉 Read Sammi’s full Staff Spotlight and learn more about this incredible journey: https://www.lkdsb.net/article/18840

Happy Sunday everyone!The Black Mecca Museum will be closed tomorrow, Monday, October 12th, for the holiday. We will re-...
10/11/2026

Happy Sunday everyone!

The Black Mecca Museum will be closed tomorrow, Monday, October 12th, for the holiday.

We will re-open on Tuesday, October 13th, at 9:00 am.

Just like that, another Field of Honour for the books. Fergie Jenkins Field may have seen a little rain, but we play on!...
10/01/2026

Just like that, another Field of Honour for the books. Fergie Jenkins Field may have seen a little rain, but we play on!

We’d like to extend another huge thank you to our sponsors and supporting organizations of this event: The Chatham Sports Hall of Fame, Buxton’s Next Generations, Kent and Essex Mutual Insurance, Knights of Columbus, and the CK Barnstormers.

We’d like to also thank all of our volunteers who helped out throughout the day and kept things moving smoothly. We also wouldn’t have any games without all the players who showed up and gave it their all!

Thank you all for coming out to support this event, and for helping us keep the legacy of the 1934 Chatham Coloured All-Stars alive. We’ll see you next year!

The Black Mecca Museum will be closed September 30th in support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We enc...
09/30/2026

The Black Mecca Museum will be closed September 30th in support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We encourage you all to pause during this time to consider the impact that residential schools have had on families in this country over the decades.

There are many local events taking place tomorrow where you can recognize National Truth and Reconciliation Day:

Caldwell First Nation Orange Shirt Day at Caldwell First Nation Community Hall, 14 Orange Street, Leamington 10:00 am

5th Annual Healing Walk & Gathering Wallaceburg (Walk begins at Wallaceburg Library) 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Orange Shirt Day Activities and Walk of Reconciliation at St. Clair College Indigenous Student Services 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Looking for something to do this Saturday? The Black Mecca Museum will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for tours, FREE ...
09/29/2026

Looking for something to do this Saturday? The Black Mecca Museum will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for tours, FREE ADMISSION!

Come check out the Black Mecca Museum and explore our exhibits, artifacts, gift shop, and bookstore! Guided walking tours will take place at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:30 pm.

Visit us to learn more about your community. We look forward to seeing you all!

Congratulations to our president, Dorothy Wallace, as she is this year’s recipient of the Ontario Senior of the Year awa...
09/24/2026

Congratulations to our president, Dorothy Wallace, as she is this year’s recipient of the Ontario Senior of the Year award!

Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillor Alysson Storey visited the museum to present Dorothy with the certificate.

Thank you for all you do in the community, and congratulations on a well-deserved honour, Dorothy!

Line up for Saturday's games!
09/18/2026

Line up for Saturday's games!

Be sure to attend this year’s Field of Honour charity baseball event to try your chance at one of two door prizes sponso...
09/18/2026

Be sure to attend this year’s Field of Honour charity baseball event to try your chance at one of two door prizes sponsored by .

Each prize pack contains a coffee mug, pens and note pads, and $50 in Starbucks gift cards. Get a raffle ticket at the door when you donate to enter the event.

We’ll see you all there!

Address

177 King Street East
Chatham, ON
N7M3N1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

519-352-3565

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category