Background

The community of Buxton, Ontario was one of four planned black settlements in Ontario. Also known as the Elgin Settlement, it began in 1849, when Reverend William King and his fifteen freed slaves first arrived. Lands had been acquired by the Presbyterian Church of Canada under Rev. King's direction (The Elgin Association), and a thriving community flourished within a few short years.

According to a historic map of the Elgin Settlement, there were some 200 homes built on its 9,000 acres by the early 1850s.

For more information on the history of the Elgin Settlement, please visit: http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/history/hist-ELGIN.html.

Today, the community remains in the hands of descendants of these early black settlers, at least in part. Some of them are successful farmers, and others are retired teachers, former railway employees, radio station "personalities," musicians, museum staff, church leaders, labourers, and students.

When visiting Buxton, one is struck by the beauty of the land, and its agricultural production. These are some of the more successful farms in southwestern Ontario, growing wheat, corn, and soy beans.

Of course, it does not take long to recognize historic aspects of the landscape. Farm lots, ditches, and tree lines still make reference to the original division of the community into 50 acre farm lots. None of the original buildings still stand, other than the lone 1850s log cabin that has been moved onto the museum's grounds. But the feel of the landscape speaks to the visitor in a way that touches its historic roots.

Of course, for the historian and archaeologist, Buxton is immediately recognized for its national historic significance. What is amazing is that hardly any archaeological research has been done to preserve its heritage. Notable exceptions are the designation of the museum property as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada, and a small excavation done by Karolyn Smardz-Frost to locate early burial plots.

But virtually nothing - up until now - has been done to assess the overall archaeological potential of the majority of this historic landscape.