Murder mystery resurrects dark story from Buxton's past

It may not be the kind of event you would expect to be attending during Black History Month.

But later this month, a murder mystery dinner will be held at the Retro Suites Hotel in Chatham, Ont., and the intent will be to share a local part of black history with those who attend.

Guests will learn about the death of a young man whose life came to an end more than 150 years ago in nearby Buxton — a crime that occurred barely a decade after the town had been founded as a black settlement.

"It's a true story that happened here in Buxton in 1862," Shannon Prince, the curator of the National Buxton Historical Site and Museum, told CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive in a telephone interview.  

"There was a young gentleman who was a servant in a household here and he was found murdered."

Prince was reluctant to provide too many details about the man's death, as she and other organizers want their murder mystery audience to learn the story when they attend the Feb. 20 event.

But she was willing to share his name and age in advance of the dinner.

"His name was Mark Peterson and he was 19 years old and that's probably all I should tell you."

Prince admits that a murder mystery dinner may seem like an unusual way of shining a light on black history.

"It's going to be educational, [but] entertaining at the same time," said Prince.

Prince said the idea has come from a younger generation of people living in the area who want to share Buxton's history with others in a new way.

Tickets to the murder mystery event are $30. Dinner is included in the price.