BLACK HISTORY UNIVERSAL INSPIRATION
An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Freedom Seekers and fugitive slaves reached Canada via the Underground Railroad before the American Civil War. Travelling hundreds of miles, they took extreme risks to seek their freedom from American slavery. A secret network of abolitionists, free Blacks, and First Nations created an important part of the Underground Railroad around Amherstburg, Windsor, and Chatham. For some, their place of refuge was the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Today, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum tells a story of African Canadians’ journeys and contributions by preserving stories and presenting artefacts that educate and inspire. Although it is one of the most important historical sites in the area, many Amherstburg residents have not visited before, and we hope they get a chance to do so. And while the museum shines a light on hundreds of years of history, this story is not just history: it's very relevant today, both here at home and across the border, where systemic racism is growing in frequency.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS
In 1995, Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month. It honours and amplifies the voices of black Canadians while celebrating their many achievements and contributions.
Ever since we opened River Bookshop, we have teamed up with the Amherstburg Freedom Museum to celebrate Black History Month.
- River Bookshop is happy to announce that the Amherstburg Freedom Museum will host our next Books in the 'Burg Book Club meet up. This featured meet up will be on Sunday, February 22nd, at 2PM, with guest readings and an exhibition. We'll be discussing Canisia Lubrin's Code Noir. Stay tuned—additional details coming soon!
- Amherstburg Freedom Museum Ticket Giveaway: be one of the first 20 to drop by River Bookshop to pick up a free admission ticket! Just ask at the desk.
- Special Story Time guest Yejide Kilanko this Sunday, February 1st: keep reading for more details below!
- Starting on February 1st, look for this symbol
to signify 15% off select books by Black authors.
The museum staff are also busy with a number of events:
- Friday, Jan. 30th at 7PM: Windsor-Essex Joint Annual Black History Month Kickoff at Caribbean Center Windsor
- Saturday, Feb. 21st at 4PM: Author Nikki Clarke book signing at the museum
To learn more, go to https://amherstburgfreedom.
Check in next week to learn about one of Amherstburg’s most impressive heritage restorations on an important small downtown block.
CHATHAM AUTHOR STORY TIME READING
We are kicking off Black History Month with a big surprise! On February 1st, Chatham author Yejide Kilanko is coming to River Bookshop for Story Time! Yejide is a Nigerian-Canadian writer, poet, and therapist whose works explore themes of identity, resilience, and social justice.
Come join us on Sunday at 11AM to meet Yejide and hear her read from her newest book, What The Eyes See, a folk tale about Yanibo the tortoise and Akambulo the hermit crab.
RIVER BOOKSHOP ANNUAL PUZZLE SALE
It's that time of year! National Puzzle Day is Thursday, January 29th, and to celebrate we're having a WEEK-LONG puzzle sale, running through Saturday, January 31st. All of our puzzles are 15% off in store and online. That includes Eurographics, New York Puzzle Company, and Crocodile Creek!
With the weather we've been having, it's a good time to warm up indoors with a new puzzle.
THE CURSED QUEEN'S DAUGHTER: BOOK LAUNCH
SAVE THE DATE: Book 2 in Elly Blake's new series is almost out, and we're happy to be holding the official book launch on release day!
Join us Tuesday, February 10th, at 6:30PM for a reading and book signing with ELLY BLAKE, and get your copy of The Cursed Queen's Daughter.
WELCOME TO LITTLE MISCHIEF BABY BOUTIQUE
A carefully considered baby boutique filled with magic & mischief.
We’re proud to be the only baby boutique in the county where you can explore beautiful gifts and baby essentials in person, seeing and feeling the quality and design for yourself.
Located in beautiful downtown Amherstburg, we’re surrounded by so many wonderful places to shop, stroll, and explore making your visit just as enjoyable as the find itself.
At Little Mischief, every piece is thoughtfully curated to make babyhood simpler and more magical. We celebrate the real magic and mischief of babyhood, offering trusted curation and genuine real talk for overwhelmed expecting and new parents with effortless, elevated options for stylish gifters who want the best made easy.
We invite you to shop in-store, where you can experience the quality, craftsmanship, and design firsthand and appreciate the details that make each piece special.
Because childhood is magic … with just the right amount of mischief.
On Thursday, January 29th, come join us for our first in a new series of workshops hosted at River Bookshop, through partnership with Rose City Writers.
‘Protect Your Words: A Legal Toolkit for Writers in Canada’ with Pat Papadeas will be from 6:30-8:00PM, and tickets are open to the public for $15, or $10 for RCW members. For tickets, click here or the image above.
Valentine's Jellies are in stock at River Bookshop. Not sure what to get your sweetheart this year? Pair a stuffie and a book together to make the sweetest gift ever.
So much to see and do in Amherstburg!
We hope to see you downtown this weekend.
The River Bookshop Team