Heritage Days
14th Annual Montgomery County Maryland Heritage Days
Saturday, June 25 & Sunday, June 26
Noon to 4:00 PM - FREE!
Each year, on the last weekend of June, Heritage Montgomery hosts its signature event - the annual Heritage Days Celebration. This two-day, free-of-charge, county-wide festival offers visitors an opportunity to sample numerous sites representing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County.
Sites open for Heritage Days 2011 . . .
Bethesda/Glen Echo/Silver Spring
1. Josiah Henson Special Park (Uncle Tom's Cabin)
Sunday only
11420 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda 301-650-4373
Enjoy guided tours of the Riley farm where Reverend Josiah Henson lived and worked as a slave from 1795 to 1830. Henson's 1849 autobiography inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's landmark novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. Explore an archaeology dig and make your own set of marbles to take home. Tours every half hour from noon to 3:30PM. Park at the Montgomery Aquatic Center at 5900 Executive Boulevard.
2. Glen Echo Park
Saturday and Sunday
7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo 301-634-2222
Saturday: The National Park Service will observe a Civil Rights Day by recreating the carousel sit-in experience of 1960. Discover how it sparked weeks of protest that led to the integration of the Amusement Park. Meet in front of the carousel.
Sunday: In commemoration of the Civil War sesquicentennial Glen Echo presents the Washington Revels chorus and string band performing Civil War era music starting at 2:00 PM. Meet President Lincoln. Watch and learn dances from the late 1800s. Craft activities for children.
3. Clara Barton National Historic Site
Saturday and Sunday
7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo 301-320-1410
Visit the home of the "Angel of the Battlefield - Founder of the American Red Cross". This Victorian-style historic house was Clara Barton's home during the last 15 years of her life.
4. Historic Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station
Saturday and Sunday
8100 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring
Tour the restored 1945 National Register B&O station with model railroads for kids of all ages. See the 10'x10' HO layout, watch model railroad construction, demonstrations and listen to local history talks. Troubadour Rick Kanton will perform rail songs at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Sunday: join Jerry McCoy in a walking tour of Silver Spring at noon. Refreshments. Sponsored by Montgomery Preservation Inc. and Silver Spring Historical Society.
5. Smithville Rosenwald School Museum and Education Center
Saturday only
811 E. Randolph Road, Silver Spring 301-879-3700
Tour the restored historical school for African American children. Watch a historical film about the school, participate in lectures, and meet with alumnae of the school.
Gaithersburg/Rockville
6. American Latvian Museum
Saturday and Sunday
400 Hurley Avenue, Rockville
301-340-1914 www.ALAUSA.org
Exhibits on Latvian history, costumes, coins and jewelry. Hands-on activities for all ages include silversmithing and decorating Easter eggs with onionskin dye. Latvian music instrument Kokle, folk songs by Sudrabavots, choral music and refreshments. Latvian food, handicrafts, gifts, jewelry and books for sale.
7. Montgomery County Historical Society
Saturday and Sunday
103 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville 301-762-1492
See the new exhibit The Year of the Hat that highlights fashion hats worn by men, women and children in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries in Montgomery County. Learn what they tell us about our community and the people who live here. Dr. Stonestreet will hold office hours in the Stonestreet Museum of 19th Century Medicine.
8. City of Rockville
301-251-2747
Saturday: Meet at the Lincoln Park Community Center, 357 Frederick Avenue, to celebrate 120 years of this community with a historical parade. Return there to end with a cultural celebration.
Sunday: Meet at the entrance to the Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, at 1:30 PM for a guided walking tour of African American heritage via interpretive panels led by Anita Neal Powell of the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation and Rockville's Historic District Commission.
9. Gaithersburg Community Museum
Saturday only
9 S. Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg 301-258-6160
Visit the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex; site of the Community Museum, History Park and rolling stock. The newly renovated museum features an interesting collection of photos and artifacts that pay tribute to Gaithersburg's Heritage. Interactive bank and schoolroom exhibits also on display.
10. Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory
Saturday only
100 Desellum Avenue, Gaithersburg 301-258-6160
Tour the restored building and newly opened History Park. The building and its surrounding property were built by Rockville astronomer Edwin Smith. This site played an important role in efforts of scientists to determine the "wobble of the earth".
Derwood/Brookeville/Sandy Spring
11. Agricultural History Farm Park
Saturday only
18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood 301-650-4373
Step back in time and enjoy farming demonstrations and old-fashioned games for all ages at the turn-of-the-century 455-acre historic farmstead.
12. Oakley Cabin
Saturday only
3610 Brookeville Road, Olney 301-650-4373
Built as one of three cabins housing African American tenants during the late 1800s, Oakley Cabin became part of a large African American roadside community. Bring the family and enjoy guided tours, demonstrations of 19th-century crafts, and a special musical performance by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices at 2:00 PM. Park at Longwood Local Park, 19300 Georgia Avenue, Olney. Shuttle service will be provided.
13. Brookeville One-Room Schoolhouse
Saturday only
10 North Street, Brookeville 301-570-4465
This 1860's wood-frame schoolhouse was in continuous use until the early 1920s and is one of the few remaining schools of the era. Restored by the Town of Brookeville, it now displays photographs of early students and the restoration process. A school marm in period costume will be on site with her lessons for a little bit of living history.
14. Olney Theatre Center
Saturday only
2001 Sandy Spring Road, Olney 301-924-4485
A day of family fun until 5:00 PM at this cultural campus that dates back to 1939. Enjoy performances by local groups. Cotton candy and a variety of games for children of all ages. The Eric Byrd Trio will cap off the day with a special jazz concert at 4:00 PM.
15. Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery
Saturday only
18524 Brooke Road, Sandy Spring
Step back in time and tour the cross-section of a slave clipper ship, the Arts Pavilion and Slave Log Cabin. View art and artifacts in the Great Hall. At 12:30 PM Washington Revels Jubilee Voices will perform a variety of songs including shouts, hollers, spirituals, laments, ballads, and children's songs. Interact with historical characters Abraham Lincoln, Philip Johnson, and Enoch George Howard. Food will be available for sale.
16. Sandy Spring Museum
Saturday only
17901 Bentley Road, Sandy Spring 301-774-0022
Maryland 1861: Union or Confederate? You Decide acquaints visitors with local delegates to the State's 1861 secession convention, the delegates' interests and political viewpoints, and their debates over both slavery and secession. For adults and children over the age of 12. Debate will start at 1:30 PM, and visitors will be invited to cast a vote. A door prize will be awarded at 3:00 PM. Younger children will participate in a scavenger hunt to explore the museum.
17. We apologize but this event has been canceled by the organizer.
Historic Village of Sandy Spring
Saturday only
16923 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring 301-774-0615
Visit the campus of Sandy Spring Friends School to relive the Battle of Rickett's Run. Participating in the Civil War reenactment will be members of the original Quaker families. Bring lunch and have a picnic on the benches while listening to live music. Refreshments.
18. Underground Railroad Trail Hikes
Saturday only
16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring 301-650-4373
Join volunteer "conductors" on guided hikes along a simulated Underground Railroad trail. The 2-mile trail winds through fields, woods and across streams to historic Sandy Spring. Learn various techniques that freedom seekers used to elude pursuers. Listen to true, fascinating and heartbreaking stories, along the way. Meet the historic characters of Governor Thomas Hicks and Quaker woman Johanna Plummer. The 90-minute hikes begin at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 12:00 Noon. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Germantown/Boyds/Clarksburg
19. King Barn Dairy MOOseum
Saturday and Sunday
18028 Central Park Circle, Boyds 301-704-3047
Models of life-sized dairy cows. Exhibit of milking equipment, Civil War era milking practice, and a model of the King Farm family home. Milk the two milkable model cows. Family activities include craft for children. Opens at 10:00 AM on Saturday.
20. The Button Farm Living History Center
Saturday and Sunday
16820 Black Rock Road, Germantown 301-916-7090
Visit a Living History farm depicting 1850's plantation life. Tour the heirloom garden, Civil War era barn, reconstructed plantation quarters and slave cemetery. Living history reenactors, artisans and interpreters will be on hand providing demonstrations. Enjoy the gospel sounds of Mosaic Harmony on Saturday at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM.
21. Historic Germantown Bank
Saturday only
19320 Mateny Hill Road, Germantown 301-972-2707
Germantown Historical Society will lead walking tours of the Germantown Historic District. Exhibits include a display of Germantown in the Civil War. Live entertainment and refreshments.
22. DC/RC Radio Control Club at the South Germantown Park
Saturday only
16200 Schaeffer Road, Boyds 301-717-1980
Enjoy watching all types of model aircraft flying throughout the day, along with special demonstrations. Souvenirs for children.
23. Boyds Negro School
Saturday and Sunday
19510 White Ground Road, Boyds
This one-room school, heated only with a pot-bellied stove, served as the only public school for African Americans in the Boyds area from 1895 - 1936. Watch a video, Boyds Negro School: Historic Lives and a presentation of school integration on Montgomery County, MD.
24. Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
Saturday and Sunday
18125 Comus Road, Dickerson 301-605-0130
Come tour Montgomery County's only vineyard/winery. The 85-acre farm includes a restored red barn, silo and windmill and abuts the scenic Sugarloaf Mountain - a Registered National Landmark. Farmers Market on Saturday from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Taste the local wines for a small charge. Open till 6:00 PM both days.
25. Hyattstown Mill Arts Project
Saturday and Sunday
14920 Hyattstown Mill Road, Hyattstown 301-874-2452
What better place to enjoy an exhibition of wood sculpture and crafts than in an old wooden grist mill? Curated by local artists William Price and Tsetso Naydenov, the mill gallery features a display of beautiful objects all made from wood. Enjoy the sculpture garden and the nature trails of Little Bennett Regional Park. Watch wood-turning and saw-milling demonstrations. Open both days at 9:30 AM. On Saturday, join a Song Circle at 7:30 PM for a delightful evening of new tunes and old favorites by area musicians.
26. Clarksburg Historical Society
Saturday only
Frederick Road, Downtown Clarksburg 301-253-3807
Join the fun Clarksburg Day festivities in the Historic District town. See family heirlooms and antique car exhibit. Take a tour of the Historic Clarksburg Elementary School, visit Dowdens Ordinary, and the Clarksburg Animal Hospital to see a pet show beginning at 12:00 Noon. Moonbounce, clowns and more. Free trolley transportation to all sites. Enjoy live music by the Jimmy Purdum Band from 12:00 to 1:30 PM at the historic Town Trading Post. Food available for sale. Fun activities start at 11:00 AM.
C&O Canal/Poolesvile/Western Montgomery County
27. Blockhouse Point Civil War Experience
Saturday only
15000 River Road, Potomac 301-840-5848
Walk in the footsteps of Civil War Union soldiers and see the remains of an 1862 outpost camp and blockhouse used to guard the Potomac River crossing from Confederate attack. The two-mile guided hikes, along an easy to moderate natural surface trail, begin at 12 Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Meet at the parking area of the Callithea Horse Farm across from Signal Tree Lane.
28. Seneca Aqueduct and Lockhouse (Riley's Lockhouse)
Saturday only
River Road and Riley's Lock Road, Poolesville 301-983-0825
The C&O Canal Association will give tours of the aqueduct. Learn about the historic and scenic lockhouse and listen to an interpreter give detailed information and handouts on the C&O National Historical Park and the C&O Canal Association. Enjoy canal songs by the Washington Revels Maritime Voices at 12:00 Noon.
29. Seneca Schoolhouse Museum
Saturday and Sunday
16800 River Road, Poolesville 301-972-8588
Enjoy a "Back-in-Time" visit to this 19th-century one-room schoolhouse. An 1880s school will be in session with a costumed teacher. Enjoy activities, games and refreshments.
30. St. Paul Community Church
Saturday only
14730 Sugarland Lane, Poolesville 301-717-9304
Tour the historic 1893 church and cemetery and see artifacts and historical documents. At 2:00 PM, "Spiritual Harmony" will perform the story of Sugarland's history in skit and song via old Negro hymns. Meet Civil War characters Abraham Lincoln, ex-slave Philip Johnson, and Quaker woman Johanna Plummer. Refreshments.
31. Whites Ferry
Saturday and Sunday
24801 Whites Ferry Road, Poolesville
A unique cable ferry crossing the Potomac every 20 minutes, a short distance downriver from Whites Ford where J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry crossed in the Civil War. Foot traffic will be provided free rides on the ferry.
32. Warren Church and Historic Site
Saturday only
22625 Whites Ferry Road, Martinsburg 301-972-7263
This unique African American historic group of buildings dates back to the 1860s. The church and original one-room schoolhouse are still in use. Exhibits and photographs of the site, descendents and community will be displayed. The Garbo Gospel Choir will be in concert at 2:00 PM after which Civil War Reenactor Charles Ben Hawley will speak on Black Men in the Civil War.
33. Monocacy Aqueduct at the C&O Canal
Saturday and Sunday
Route 28 and Mouth of the Monocacy Road, Dickerson
Visit this restored 174-year old seven-arched aqueduct that spans 516 feet in length over the Monocacy River. Listen to an interpreter talk about the aqueduct and its history. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view. Civil War reenactors will be on hand. Saturday: The Washington Revels Maritime Voices will be performing canal songs at 2:00 PM. Sponsored by the C&O Canal Association.
34. John Poole House and General Store
Saturday and Sunday
19923 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville 301-972-8588
Tour the 1793 log cabin that used to be the General Store and Trading Post and is the oldest building in Poolesville. Civil War artifacts will be on display and crafters will be on site. Crafts for children and cold lemonade.
35. Poolesville Museum
Saturday and Sunday
19933 Fisher Ave, Poolesville 301-972-8588
Restoration is nearly complete on this 100-year old bank building, an iconic historic structure at the center of Poolesville. See an ornate early-20th century bank vault with newly revealed decorative painting. Watch the video, Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War.
36. Poolesville's Whalen Common Bandshell
Sunday only
19701 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville 301-428-8927
Washington Revels Heritage Voices will perform Civil War era music at 1:00 PM. Special guest President Abraham Lincoln will address visitors. Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War, will be screened in the Town Hall at 2:30 PM.
For more information go to http://heritagemontgomery.org/content/heritage-days-0
