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Digital Exhibitions → Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada → Theme: Diplomats of the Railway 

Black Canadian Railway Porters as Cultural Ambassadors

How did Black railway porters help create a Canadian culture?

This monologue portrays the charismatic dreamer “Reginald”, a character modelled after Billy Downie, a Porter and the owner of Halifax’s first Black club, the Arrow. Performed by Derick Agyemang.

Oscar Peterson and his father Daniel who was a porter, September 1945. CRHA/Exporail, Canadian Pacific Railway Company Fonds

In an era of racial segregation, Porters linked Black communities across North America with the rest of society. They were smartly dressed at work and in their community. In their communities, they were the purveyors of the latest fashions, clothes they bought while on out-of-town stops. They brought back home the latest happenings in culture and the arts. As they travelled from gig to gig, they mingled with Black musicians such as the famed Canadian jazz musician Oscar Peterson. Along the way they introduced new Canadians to their new homes, regions and provinces, thereby helping to create a Canadian culture.

Four members of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, Canadian Pacific Railroad Division, posed standing: Frank Collins, Joe(?) Hudson, L.M. Alexander, and Sam Lewis, circa 1943. Collins became President of the Vancouver Division of the Union, as well as the BC branch of the Canadian League for the Advancement of Coloured People. (courtesy Library of Congress/90715591)
his porter appearance on the cover of CNR magazine was another indication of how important porters were to railway business. It is worth noting the cover appeared two months before porters and their allies assembled in Toronto April 26, 1954 for the delegation to Ottawa for citizenship rights. CNR mag cover, porter, feb ‘54. CRHA/Exporail, Canadian Pacific Railway Company Fonds.

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Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada

All aboard! This multimedia digital exhibition produced by Museum of Toronto in collaboration with author/scholar Cecil Foster.

Diplomats of the Railway

Black porters were key cultural leaders both on the railway and off. Learn more about this through a dramatic monologue and list of articles.

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Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada

All aboard! This multimedia digital exhibition produced by Museum of Toronto in collaboration with author/scholar Cecil Foster.

1851: Spirit and Voice

A theatrical revisiting of the 1851 North American Convention of Colored Freemen.