Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada

Project Organization: Myseum Toronto

Project Website: Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada

Date of Release: November 30, 2021

“Derailed: The History of Black Railway Porters in Canada” is a digital multimedia exhibition that captures the lived experiences of the Black railway porters and their often under-told narrative, through the use of theatrical performances, interviews, mediascapes, and archival content.  The exhibition highlights the important role that Black railway porters played in the history of the city, province, and across the country.

This program allows for attendees to experience a new and innovative way of interacting with history. Instead of simply watching a theatrical interpretation or hearing a lecture or reading, this multimedia digital exhibition captures the performances and integrates them into a transformative experience that brings the history and real life stories of the Black railway porters to life.

From the late 1800s to mid-1900s, Canada’s Black railway porters were a group of workers who disrupted the system, becoming instrumental in leading the fight for fair employment practices and anti-discriminatory laws. This multimedia digital exhibit and online program looks at the lives of these pioneers whose tireless work, on and off the track, was instrumental in paving a new path for greater equality in Canada.

Additional Project Team Members

Panelists: Cecil Foster (Author, They Call Me George), Meagan Swaby (Playwright, Venus’ Daughter), Natasha Henry (President, Ontario Black History Society) Andria Babbington, John Cartwright
Partner: Toronto & York Region Labour Council, Derailed Digital Exhibit
Curator: Cecil Foster
Playwright: Meghan Swaby
Director: Byron Kent Wong
Partners: Zero11Zero, Iron Bay Media, Union
Performer: Peter Bailey (Actor)
Moderator: Cheryl Blackman (Director, Museums and Heritage Services, City of Toronto)