Join Historian Matthew Wilkinson for Ask A Historian on Thursday March 24, 2022 as we announce the launch of our most recent comic book, The Grange: Legend of the North Star.

This week, Matthew interviews two of the driving forces behind the 11th volume in the Heritage Mississauga comic book series, Justine Lyn, Resource Centre Assistant, and Daniel Wong, freelance Artist.

Matthew explores the inspiration and enormous research Justine undertook in researching the fascinating story of the Thomas-Dorsey family and the creative process and challenges Daniel faced in recreating the story in a vibrant and engaging comic book format.

This week, on March 24, 2022, Heritage Mississauga is excited to release Legend of the North Star, our 11th comic book from The Grange series.

This black history comic book follows the story of a freedom seeking family in historic Mississauga and their search for hope at the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada meeting at St. Lawrence Hall on March 24, 1852 – exactly 170 years ago!

The story takes place in the year 1852: just picture yourself there! It has been two years since the United States passed the Fugitive Slave Act, allowing slave catchers to roam free through all States capturing fugitives. No longer safe anywhere in the country, “conductors” along the railroad ushered slaves to follow the North Star to Canada. You are a young parent and former slave –what would you do? Would you come to Canada? Where do you go? What do you do? And most importantly, are you truly safe?

Find out the fate and historic contributions of the Thomas-Dorsey family and download your copy of The Grange: Legend of the North Star today!

Paper copies will be available, please email us at [email protected] to arrange to pick up your copies.

#ApartTogether we continue to research, record, and celebrate the stories of #BlackHistory in Mississauga.

#BlackHeritageMatters

You are invited to email us questions you have about Mississauga and we encourage you to send a short (less than 1 minute) MP4 video of your question, which we may feature in one of our “Ask a Historian” videos.

Any questions not featured in our videos will receive a written response from Matthew.

We would also love to feature questions from young Mississauga residents who are curious about their city and will feature a dedicated video to these inquisitive kids.

Send your questions to us at: [email protected]