“A story of strength, perseverance and endurance.”

Black Roots in Grey is the next chapter in the history of Grey County’s Black community. With the arrival of the earliest settlers such as John “Daddy” Hall, Richard Ringo, and others, Black people have worked hard to make a place for themselves where they could live and raise their children in freedom and peace.

Black Roots tells the stories surrounding the earliest Black settlements. It looks at the history surrounding the Old Durham Road near Priceville, including the heartbreaking stories surrounding the prejudicial desecration of Black graves in that area. Black Roots talks about the steady progress made by Black community members to gain a foothold in their communities despite prejudice and discrimination.  

Black Roots celebrates the successes of many Black community members as they gained acceptance and prospered. It honours such local Black figures as former Owen Sound Mayor and Ontario MP Ovid Jackson, musician entertainer Tommy Earlls, and others. It also outlines the early beginnings of the Emancipation Picnic and follows its growth and evolution into the three day weekend celebration many of us know as the Emancipation Festival.

Black Roots in Grey is an eye-opening and important exhibit which adds another chapter to our Grey County history.