Did You Know…. ?

Every February Canada celebrates Black History Month. This years’ theme: “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day,” 

Benjamin Sleet, his wife, Elizabeth, and their son, Benjamin, were born in Kentucky were they were enslaved. 

He was a very enterprising man. He is listed in a number of census, and Stratford Directories, as the proprietor of the Falstaff Hotel on Ontario Street, and later the Sleet’s Market Refreshment Hall.

Benjamin Sleet acquired the ice-cutting privileges on the river near where he owned property just west of Waterloo Street. When he died, his son James took over the business. The first ice-house was located on the Sleet property until it was sold to the city for parkland in 1921.

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For more on Black History: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-historymonth/ black-canadians.html