Black History in Ingersoll

Ingersoll Art Installation Celebrates Town History

Black History Projec_flare

Duane Kumala-Thomas, local artist & creator of the Underground Railroad Art installation writes:

The rich tapestry of history that is Ingersoll, is Oxford, is South-Western Ontario, is Upper Canada, stretches through the soil and deep into the roots. However, I felt it necessary to present the idea that history happened to everyone, be them black, white, both, or other. Using the familiar theme of the underground railroad as a focal point, the sculpture aims to represent Ingersoll’s involvement in accepting, aiding and growing amongst a new and increasing black population in the 1800s and beyond. The visual of train tracks breaking through the soil and springing up into the Ingersoll air will present viewers with the emphatic feeling of a journey travelled in discretion and concluded where/when in this place, travellers came up for air, settled and planted new roots

As history would have it, Ingersoll had a part to play in forming the landscape throughout the years. To further commemorate that, the following consequential dates will be mounted onto the railroad ties; 1793: Thomas Ingersoll arrives and erects his cabin on what is now Thames Street 1852: Year that the village was incorporated into the Town of Ingersoll 1858: Famed American abolitionist John Brown visited Ingersoll & area 1916: 168th Battalion, Oxford's Own is formed; "B" Company based in Ingersoll The top most railroad tie will read “NOW”, signifying that the lives we live today are the makings of history when looking back years from now.

1793

Founding of Oxford-on-the-Thames, now Ingersoll

1852

Learn more about the founding of the town of Ingersoll

1858

Abolitionist, John Brown, visits Ingersoll to find support for his anti-slavery movement.

1916

168th Battalion, Oxford's Own is formed; B" Company based in Ingersoll formed."

A Safe Haven

Discover more about Oxford County history in this definitive book by Joyce Pettigrew

Artist Sketch Book

Discover Duane Kumala-Thomas' artistic vision.

Charles Kelly 1892-1933

The story of an Ingersoll WWI veteran and his baseball prowess

Frederick Moore, 1871-1937

Learn more about the WWI heroic feats of Frederick Moore, 1871-1937, as well as his father, Robert Leeper Moore, 1817-1899

Harriet Wright 1833-1913

Learn about an Ingersoll women who is believed to have escaped enslavement.

Isaiah Wright, 1870-1905

A tragedy that may have been Ingersoll's first murder

Norwich 1946

Compiled by Norwich District Reunion Committee this book is a souvenir of the Old Home Week, July 1-4, 1946. This keyword searchable edition documents veterans, architecture, citizens & business.

The Freedom Seekers

Discover more about how the formerly enslaved made their way to Ingersoll

Township of Norwich : Lossing/Quaker Settlement 1810-2010

This souvenir booklet commemorates the 200th Anniversary of the Lossing Quaker settlement in Norwich.