On November 1, 1864, Maryland freed by a new state constitution all those held in bondage within its boundaries. Please join us in celebration of Maryland Emancipation Day in our parks.
Free events to celebrate Emancipation Day!
Celebrate freedom from enslavement in Maryland with a hike on the Underground Railroad, a tour of a slave cabin and a museum on slavery, living history demonstrations and great food! Events held Saturday and Sunday are FREE, unless otherwise noted, and open to the public.
Let our 2012 Event Passport be your guide!
Over the weekend, pick up an EVENT PASSPORT at any of these special event locations: Underground Railroad Trail (Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park), Oakley Cabin, Sandy Spring Slave Museum, Sandy Spring Museum, African American Heritage Walking Tour of Rockville or the Josiah Henson Park. Collect a stamp when you visit each site on Saturday and Sunday. Earn a prize from Parks when you visit (3) of the (5) sites throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, pick up your prize at Oakley Cabin. On Sunday, pick up your prize at the Josiah Henson Park. We hope you enjoy this cultural tour of your county historic sites!
Weekend Schedule
Friday, November 2
"Voices of the Underground Railroad"
Special Night Hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860 | UndergroundRRexperience.org
UPDATE: This event has been SOLD OUT. No additional reservations are available.
The Maryland Emancipation Celebration weekend begins with this special night hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Journey back to the 1800s during this special night hike and meet persons of the past: the brave fugitive Ann Maria Weems (portrayed by Tomika Hughey Monterville, shown above); freedman and minister; founding member of Sandy Spring's African American community, Enoch Howard (portrayed by Christophe Beard - far right) ; and Maryland Governor Thomas Hicks (portrayed by Michael Robinson - left). Each of the re-enactors portrayed here are Montgomery Parks Underground Railroad volunteer conductors.
Because of the late hour of this special hike and the interpretative content, this event is appropriate for children ages 10 and up.
A few reminders: This is a round-trip hike; the trail is not ADA-accessible; only therapy animals will be allowed along this guided hike; dress for the weather; and bring your flashlight.
Parking is available at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park.
Saturday, November 3
9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Underground Railroad Experience Hikes at
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860 | UndergroundRRexperience.org
Tours begin: 9:00 am, 9:30 am and 10:00 am
Trained Underground Railroad Trail volunteer "conductors" will lead one-way, 2-hour interpretive hikes of the 2 mile trail from Woodlawn Manor Park to the historic Sandy Spring Friends Meetinghouse.
Parking: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. At the end of each hike, shuttle vans will transport hikers from the historic Sandy Spring Friends Meetinghouse back to the Woodlawn Manor Park parking lot between 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery Open House
18524 Brooke Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860 | SandySpringSlaveMuseum.org
The museum and art gallery will be open to visitors FREE of charge for Emancipation Day. Dynamic exhibits
focus on the heritage of African Americans from their origin in Africa through the Trans-Atlantic passage, participation with the Underground Railroad, the struggle for civil rights, and their accomplishments across the African Diaspora. Lunch will be available for purchase.
Directions: From the I-495, exit New Hampshire Avenue north. Continue 11.5 miles on New Hampshire Avenue crossing Routes 198 and 108. Go 1 mile. SLOW DOWN. Make a LEFT onto Brooke Road. Go 1 mile. The museum is on the right, across the street from the Ross Boddy Community Center. Parking is also available at the Ross Boddy Community Center. For more information email museum staff at SlaveMuseum@yahoo.com.
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
Oakley Cabin African American Museum
Tours & Demonstrations
3610 Brookeville Rd., Olney, MD 20832 | OakleyCabin.org
The Maryland Emancipation Day program at Oakley Cabin includes: guided cabin tours, living history demonstrations; refreshments, hands-on crafts and old-fashioned games for children; and an archaeology dig by Parks Archaeology department.
Parking: Available only at the Longwood Local Park, 19300 Georgia Avenue, Olney. Shuttle vans will provided on-going transporation from the Longwood Park to Oakley Cabin from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Emancipation Day Celebration Program at Oakley Cabin includes:
- Performance by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices
- Presentation by the reenactors of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, B Company, Washington DC
- Special musical performances by the Sherwood High School Chamber Singers
- Performance by the Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church Choir
- Performances by Dr. Feel Good & The Treatment
Sunday, November 4
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
Josiah Henson Park
11420 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | JosiahHensonSite.org
Guided Tours begin: 12:00 noon, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 and 3:00 pm
Enjoy guided tours of the Josiah Henson Park and join Park archaeologists at the archaeology dig on site.
Reservations are NOT necessary to take a guided tour.
Parking: Available ONLY at the Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center/Wall Local Park, located two blocks away at 5900 Executive Blvd., North Bethesda.
12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
Sandy Spring Museum Open House
17901 Bentley Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860 | SandySpringMuseum.org
The Museum chronicles the history of the families that lived and grew here on farms and in trades, creating one of the oldest sustained communities of African American landowners in the nation. Please make plans to explore the rich heritage of this Sandy Spring community. For more information, contact 301-774-0022.
Contact Us
HistoryInTheParks.org | 301-650-4373
back to top - Last update: November 1, 2012
Montgomery County Department of Parks
9500 Brunett Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20901
www.montgomeryparks.org
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