Montgomery County Heritage Days 2018 (Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery)

Per the Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery press release:

“Immerse and educate yourself in the rich culture of the African American experience during Heritage Days June 23rd and 24th at the Sandy Spring Slave Museum & African Art Gallery located at 18524 Brooke Road in the historic Freeman’s Village of Sandy Spring, Maryland.

On Saturday, June 23rd, the museum will open our FREE Heritage Day celebration with a Libation ceremony at noon led by Maxine Holland noted historian. The ceremony commemorates our ancestors on whose shoulders we have stood, honor the struggle of our ancestors, and gives us strength for the continuing struggles ahead and uplifts future generations to continue to achieve greatness.

On both June 23rd and 24th, each guest will have the opportunity to make a quilt square that represents their family, themselves and/or the heritage of our amazing community. All materials will be supplied at no charge. The quilt will be sewn and unveiled on Emancipation Day, November 2018.

Sunday, June 24th the museum will be celebrating the heritage of African American Music with a festival style concert highlighting the importance and history of African-American music and musicians that have helped the country to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country’s enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all. The concert will take the listener on a walk-through time beginning with a traditional drumming circle followed by gospel, call songs of the underground railroad, music of the civil rights movement, Caribbean rhythms, jazz, and R & B classics.
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The Sandy Spring Slave Museum will also offer guided and self-guide tours during Heritage Days
that will provide insights into history from Africa through the middle passage, the salvation of the Underground Railroad, the struggle for civil rights and the heritage of African American families for whom Montgomery County is home, that will engage and stimulate community conversation bringing people together. Guests can tour our full-sized replica of a slaving clipper ship, a replica of the boyhood home of Nelson Mandela, a historic log, cabin circa 1895, relocated from Olney Md to the museum grounds, and many more artifacts, art and treasures of the experiences of Black life.

Numerous information and food vendors will be participating in our Heritage Day celebration including local Sandy Spring vendors Tom Farquhar (Sandy Spring Farm) and Dani Smith (Bad Azz Bakery) whose families were founding members of the community, Norma Brooks (NJB Basket of Jewels) local folk artist and designer, Sistah Circle drummers, The African American Health Program, and much more!
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For more information a complete listing can be found on the Sandy Spring Museum website,
www.sandyspringslavemuseum.org.”

​Below you’ll see some images from the museum.