Celebrate Black History Month with the Town of Grimsby

As we celebrate Black History Month 2025 throughout the month of February, we reflect on the theme: Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.

In Grimsby, echoes of Black excellence endure in the artistry of a man known as Bass, a skilled tradesman whose masterful stucco and plasterwork still adorn Nixon Hall at 262 Main Street West – nearly 200 years later. 

Though much about Bass’s life remains unknown, his craftsmanship speaks volumes and his legacy challenges us to uncover, honour, and share the overlooked stories of Black Canadians.

Grimsby itself holds a deep connection to Black history, once situated among routes of Underground Railroad, where many freedom seekers passed through or settled in search of a new life. 

This Black History Month, we honour Bass and countless others whose legacies deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered. Because Black history is Canadian history.

The Grimsby Museum continues to uncover more information about our complex history. In April, the Grimsby Museum’s first permanent exhibition is set to open, which includes a discussion of enslavement in Grimsby through consultation with the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. 

Grimsby Public Library and Grimsby Public Art Gallery 

This February, My Fade is Fresh by Shauntay Grant takes center stage at our Book Walk & Lobby Activity Table!

Stroll through our Sensory Garden to enjoy this sweet, rhyming story celebrating Black hair in all its beautiful forms, brought to life by Kitt Thomas' vibrant illustrations.

At the Lobby Activity Table, drop in anytime to create your own hairstyle artwork, exploring the deep connections between hair, identity, and history.

Join us in celebrating confidence, creativity, and culture! 🖤

To learn more about Black History in Canada, visit https://www.grimsby.ca/parks-recreation-and-culture/history-and-heritage/black-history-month/.