Skip to content
Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, Dresden, ON

Photo: Chris Woodrich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsHistory BuffLocal Gem

Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site

29251 Uncle Tom's Road · Dresden, ON

Why you should go…

Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, also known as the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History, commemorates the life of Rev. Josiah Henson, whose story inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel. The five-acre site includes the Josiah Henson Interpretive Centre with its Underground Railroad Freedom Gallery and North Star Theatre, plus the Henson house, other historic buildings, and two cemeteries. It is open seasonally from mid-May through late October.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #underground railroad
  • #heritage

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Sarnia-Lambton

    Free

    An Ontario border region on Lake Huron's Blue Coast, across the St. Clair River from Port Huron, Michigan.

    29 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Belle Isle Park

    Under $25

    An island park in the Detroit River with an aquarium, a conservatory, a beach, a marble lighthouse and a 5.4-mile loop.

    45 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Polish Art Center

    Free

    A Hamtramck emporium of Polish stoneware, amber jewelry, folk art, and imported goods.

    47 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Ford Piquette Avenue Plant

    Under $25

    Walk the 1904 brick factory where Ford built the first Model T, now a museum filled with more than 65 rare early cars.

    48 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

    Under $25

    One of the world's largest and oldest independent museums dedicated to African American history and culture.

    48 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Detroit Institute of Arts

    Under $25

    See Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry murals and more than 65,000 artworks in a Beaux-Arts building on Woodward Avenue.

    48 mi awayMore like this