Windsor tourist attractions include Caesar’s Windsor Casino, a lively downtown, Little Italy, the Art Gallery of Windsor, the Odette Sculpture Park, and Ojibway Park. As a border settlement, Windsor was a site of conflict during the War of 1812, a major entry point into Canada for refugees from slavery via the Underground Railroad and a major source of liquor during American Prohibition. Two sites in Windsor have been designated as National Historic Sites of Canada: the Sandwich First Baptist Church, a church established by Underground Railroad refugees, and Francois Baby House, an important War of 1812 site now serving as Windsor's Community Museum.
Sandwich First Baptist Church is the oldest active black church in Canada. A group of former slaves, led by Henry Brown, John Hubbs and Willis Jackson, began an informal church group in the 1820's. In 1840 eleven fugitive slaves from the 'Close Communion of Baptists' organization formed the congregation.
The church was a terminal on the Underground Railroad because it was situated near an ideal river crossing point. There is evidence that a series of tunnels and trapdoors helped facilitate safe arrival of fugitives. It is said that the pastor would raise the alarm by singing predetermined hymns such as "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" or "I'll Fly Away to Glory". Fugitives would then escape via a trap door in the church floor while the congregation created a diversion.
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This Family Museum was built and is operated by the descendants of John Freeman Walls and Jane King Walls. They traveled on the famous Underground Railroad from Rockingham County, North Carolina to Canada. This historic site is located in Puce, Ontario, Canada was an actual Terminal of the Underground Railroad.
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The North American Black Historical Museum welcomes all people of all ages to experience Black history in a unique setting. The Museum is a complex of several entities. At the core is the Museum itself, home to the main exhibits. The Museum building includes the Cultural Centre, a gathering place for special events and functions. The complex also includes historic structures. Connected to the Museum is the Taylor Log Cabin, an historic residence. The Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church stands next door to complete the complex.
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The Elgin Settlement, also known as Buxton, was one of four organized black settlements to be developed in Canada. The black population of Canada West and Chatham was already high due to the area's proximity to the United States. The land was purchased by the Elgin Association through the Presbyterian Synod for creating a settlement. The land lay 12 miles south of Chatham. When news of the Elgin settlement spread, white settlers became worried, and attempted to block its development with a petition. Regardless of sentiment, plans for the settlement went ahead and many of Buxton's settlers feared for the life of William King due to the resistance of whites.
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