Montgomery Parks and Westfield Montgomery Mall are partnering to honor Black History Month by offering free entry to the Josiah Henson Museum and Park, which is located on the former plantation of Isaac Riley where Reverend Josiah Henson was enslaved.
The museum and park will be open free of charge on Saturday, March 9, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and on Sunday, March 10, from 12 to 4 p.m. Reservations are not required. The museum is a historic resource of local, state, national, and international significance because of its association with Reverend Henson, whose 1849 autobiography, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
“We appreciate the partnership with Westfield Montgomery Mall and encourage people to come out and visit the museum and learn about the incredible life and story of Reverend Josiah Henson,” said Mark Thorne, Historic Site Manager at Josiah Henson Museum and Park.
“Westfield Montgomery is proud to partner with Montgomery Parks and the Josiah Henson Museum and Park to use our platform to help share the inspiring story of Reverend Henson with our community,” said Stuart Amos, senior general manager of Westfield Montgomery.
About Josiah Henson Museum & Park: The Josiah Henson Museum & Park, located at 11410 Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda, is the first museum in the United States dedicated to Reverend Josiah Henson. Situated on the grounds of the former plantation where Henson was enslaved prior to self-emancipating to Canada, the site includes a Visitor Center, historic house with attached log kitchen dating to 1850, and a 4-acre landscaped park with accessible walking paths. Indoor and outdoor interpretive exhibits throughout the property detail Henson’s inspirational life story, enslavement in Maryland, and the ongoing struggles of racial equality and justice. The Josiah Henson Museum & Park is part of the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program.
Born into slavery, Henson defied the odds to become an influential author, Methodist minister, abolitionist, public speaker, and a world-renowned figure. Among Henson’s many accomplishments was his 1849 autobiography, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, which inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
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FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival
Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.
Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you’re an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.
