NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH BLACK HERITAGE SOCIETY
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On Saturday September 25 at 10:30 am, the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) welcomes everyone to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Heritage Hall “Freedom Project”. This project promotes universal accessibility to Heritage Hall and enables all people to attend events at the building. The Heritage Hall Freedom Project has enabled the GBHS to fulfill its mandate to be community centred, promote inclusiveness and be respectful of all Canadians: past, present and future.
Designed by architect Joel Bartlett and built by general contractor Centrix Building Group, the “Freedom Project” includes:
• Installation of new flooring in Heritage Hall
• Accessibility upgrades including the addition of a ramp, a foyer and accessible washroom
• Use of recycled materials where possible
The “Freedom Project” was made possible through funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Enabling Accessibility Fund and Canadian Heritage.
The Grand Opening will be held at the Heritage Hall at 83 Essex Street, Guelph. The activities include:
• Freedom Project Ribbon Cutting
• Raising of the GBHS Flag
• Dedication of the Flora Francis Memorial Library. The late Flora Francis was a founding GBHS Board member and a librarian who worked at the University of Guelph. Ms. Francis had a passion for education and was a champion in promoting the works of Black authors and educators. This space contains resource materials and works of Black authors and books significant to the Black community.
• Musical performance by Verese Vassell-Bowen and Sammy Duke.
• Tours of the newly renovated Heritage Hall. Tours will be conducted from 11:30 am to 3pm.
• Refreshments from Laza Food & Beverages and Big Jerk Smokehouse.
• Support the “Give A Cup” Capital Campaign by purchasing your “Give A Cup” swag including “Lantern Brew” coffee, travel tumbler, coasters, mugs, baseball caps, masks and sanitizer.
Safety Guidelines that must be followed to attend the Grand Opening:
o If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.
o You MUST wear a mask. Please wear one that covers your nose and mouth.
o Maintain physical distancing of 2 metres from each other.
Proceeds from the Grand Opening will go towards the Give a Cup Capital Campaign. The mission of the Give A Cup Campaign is freedom. Free us from our mortgage so that we will be able to allocate additional resources towards our on-going #ChangeStartsNow Education Initiative. The #ChangeStartsNow Education Initiative provides educational programming on Black history and culture as well as relevant resources on diversity, discrimination and anti-racism.
The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) is a registered charity. Registration # 80158 3907 RR0001. Tax receipts will be issued for donations greater than $25.
Established in 2011, the mission of the Guelph Black Heritage Society is to restore and maintain Heritage Hall, originally known as the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church, built in 1880 by formerly enslaved Black individuals and their descendants who arrived in the area via the Underground Railroad. The building is a cultural, historical and social community centre serving to promote Guelph and Wellington County's distinctive place in Southwestern Ontario's rich Black heritage.
Email [email protected] for more information.
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