N.B. Black History Society stays busy with events in February

The New Brunswick Black History Society highlights local Black history in February and all year round.

2026 marks 30 years since Canada recognized Black History Month nationwide during February.

The New Brunswick Black History Society, which opened its doors in 2010 on the second floor of Brunswick Square in Saint John, focuses on the stories of Black people in the Maritime province.

“People didn’t know the Black history of the province of New Brunswick,” says society co-founder Ralph Thomas. “And big time they didn’t really know the history right here in Saint John. It was affected both by the Loyalists, the refugees and a touch of Underground Railroad.”

Etched on the museum’s walls is a story or fact about Black history in New Brunswick. Some are more recent and well known, like the federal government’s apology for the treatment of No. 2 Construction Battalion for their efforts during the First World War.

Others would likely not be publicly known if it weren’t for the museum. One is the Grand Bay-Westfield Watson Cemetery, which is the only known resting place of early Black settlers in that community.

Thomas says part of what makes the museum so special is the people who come and share their stories which add to the rich history of Black Canadians along the East Coast.

“People don’t realize that Black folks were a part of building the province of New Brunswick, the city of Saint John, and Canada in general,” says Thomas. “Every time that somebody new comes in here, they have their story that their great, great, great [relative] remember something that was connected to Black folks.”

Thomas says after years of battling to “break the ice,” people now have a great amount of interest in Black history, especially in February.

It makes for busy times at the museum with students from elementary schools and universities coming for tours. The society also takes their knowledge on the road to spread awareness.

Centre coordinator Mutiat Adeleke says for them Black History Month festivities tend to start in January and go well into March.

“We share stories like those of Willie O’Ree, like those of Frank Henderson, people that went beyond the initial resistance or the initial challenges that they faced to overcome and then become great,” Adeleke says. “Those are inspiring stories that the youth could learn from to know that, hey, you can do it. It may not be easy, but with determination, just have your dream and hold on to it.”

Adeleke says on top of school visits, they have a wide range of events planned for Black History Month.

She says the Black community has made great strides over the years but there is still more to be done to highlight the importance and achievements of Black Canadians.

“It is a sense of pride not only to the Black community, but to us all as a people,” Adeleke says.

The New Brunswick Black History Society is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will also accommodate larger groups and tours outside of regular hours upon request.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.