Add to favorites Examiner Bio

Celebrating Montgomery County's Heritage--Part I

Josiah Henson Historic Site ("Uncle Tom's Cabin")

Just across from the city line of the District of Columbia, the Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County recently celebrated its 12th Annual Heritage Days.  This was a weekend event full of free activities that included musical performances, activities for children, brunch, wine tastings and visits to 40 historical treasures.

Even if you missed the Heritage Day festivities you can still enjoy many of the historical attractions throughout Montgomery County year-round.  The following is a list of attractions and their respective “category” (as defined by the Heritage Tourism Alliance) that are located in Bethesda, Glen Echo and Silver Spring.  Additional attractions that can be found in other parts of Montgomery County will be highlighted in future articles of this "Celebrating Montgomery County’s Heritage" series.

Clara Barton, the “Angel of the Battlefield—Founder of the American Red Cross”, dedicated her life and energies to help others in times of need - both home and abroad, in peacetime as well as during military emergencies. Glen Echo was her home the last 15 years of her life and the structure illustrates her dedication and concern for those less fortunate than herself.

7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo   Open Year-round
301-320-1410

Glen Echo Park is a magical place situated on the Potomac Palisades near Bethesda, Maryland.  Originally a Chautauqua retreat, then an amusement park, this National Park is now post to a variety of arts, environmental and history programs.  Art enthusiasts can participate in pottery, painting, photography or glass art classes.  Families can ride the carousel together or enjoy a theatrical performance or puppet show.  There are also opportunities to take dance lessons, learn more about the environment or take a ranger-guided historic tour.

7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo   Open Year-round
301-634-2222

An example of standardized institutional design for railroad stations of the mid-20th century, the Silver Spring B&O Station embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Colonial Revival style in its construction materials and details. Its classically simple exterior retains the hipped slate roof, fan light dormers, and double-hung windows with granite sills and keystones of the original construction. The station's interior retains the original recessed fluorescent lighting, modern open front ticket counter, terrazzo floor, wall clocks, parcel lockers, wooden desks, and tubular chrome chairs, providing a rare view of passenger railroad service during the middle of the 20th century.

The Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station is significant for its association with the transportation-related growth and development of Silver Spring as the key suburban connection for train and automobile traffic, and for Silver Spring's development as a suburban area with close ties to the growth of Washington, D.C. The station - the only 20th century railroad station in Montgomery County and one of only two 20th century B&O stations extant in Maryland - represents the evolution of Silver Spring from a small country town centered around the railroad depot to a major transportation, retail, and residential suburb.

8100 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring   
301-926-2650

JOSIAH HENSON HISTORICAL SITE ("UNCLE TOM’S CABIN")  (African American History)

The Josiah Henson Site (formerly called the "Riley Farm/Uncle Tom's Cabin") is a historic resource of local, state, national and international significance because of its association with Reverend Josiah Henson, whose 1849 autobiography inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's landmark novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Riley farm was where Henson lived and worked as a slave from 1795 to 1825.
Many of Henson's experiences of living as a slave on the Riley property are vividly depicted in his autobiographies and are recreated in Stowe's novel. Henson eventually escaped to Canada in 1830, where he established a fugitive slave community called Dawn and became a minister, speaker and writer. He returned to the United States several times between 1831 and 1865 as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.

Note:  While I applaud Heritage Montgomery for its efforts to preserve our collection history, following a recent tour of this attraction I became concerned about a commitment of this government body to provide an accurate account of history and an authentic experience for visitors to the Josiah Henson House.  My concerns were raised following a number of comments made by our tour guide (a Heritage Montgomery supervisor) that seemed to indicate a lackadaisical approach to restoring the history of this property; particularly after witnessing first-hand what other communities throughout the country are doing to preserve their local history.  I truly hope this is not the case.  

11420 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda   Open Seasonally
301-650-4373

Built in 1927, the Smithfield Colored School was one of sixteen schools for African Americans constructed in the county with financial assistance from the Julian Rosenwald Fund.  Tours of this historical school for African American children as well as an historical film about the school and lectures are available.

811 E. Randolph Rd., Silver Spring

For more info: Tonya Fitzpatrick is Executive Producer and co-host of the Travel'n On Radio Show.  She can be reached through her website.