Reverend Josiah Henson. His name echoes through history. The Josiah Henson Museum and Park stands as a testament to his life. It also shows his enduring impact on the fight for freedom.
Josiah Henson was born into slavery in Maryland in 1789. He endured unimaginable hardships on the plantation of Isaac Riley. This very land beneath our feet is where Henson toiled. It is also the site of the Josiah Henson Museum and Park today.
In 1830 Henson escaped to Canada with his family. He became a beacon of hope for others. Henson was an influential author, abolitionist, and public speaker. He helped found Dawn Settlement. It was a sanctuary for former American slaves. Henson repeatedly risked his life. He guided 118 people to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Henson’s autobiography, “The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada” moved hearts. Published in 1849 it inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” broke sales records. Many believe it fueled the Civil War.
Mia M. Lewis is Josiah Henson’s Great-Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter. She says her hope is that people understand who the Rev. Josiah Henson truly was. She describes him as a man of strength, intelligence, loyalty, and great faith. Mia hopes to change the negative narrative around “Uncle Tom”. The real Uncle Tom was a hero. He risked his life helping others escape slavery.
The Josiah Henson Museum and Park includes several key features. There is a visitor center with an orientation film. You can find a gift shop. The historic house has a log kitchen dating back to 1850. The museum and park also feature a 4-acre landscaped park.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour. Interactive exhibits and artifacts tell Henson’s story. They also tell of slavery in Maryland. The exhibits explore the ongoing fight for racial equality. The Josiah Henson Museum & Park is part of the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program.
Josiah Henson’s story extends beyond this site. In Dresden Ontario stands the Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site. It preserves the cabin where Josiah and his wife Nancy lived.
The Josiah Henson Museum stands as a reminder. It reminds us of the horrors of slavery. It also reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit. Henson’s legacy continues to inspire. He inspires the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality. Here at the Josiah Henson Museum we honor his life. We also reflect on the long road to freedom.