Montgomery County Planning Board Approves Resolution to Rename Montrose Parkway in Honor of Renowned Local Abolitionist the Rev. Josiah Henson

Street to be renamed Josiah Henson Parkway runs through land where Henson was enslaved; Henson led over 100 people to freedom as a conductor of the Underground Railroad.

More on Josiah Henson here.

Per Montgomery Planning:

Wheaton, MD –The Montgomery County Planning Board, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), approved a resolution during its meeting on February 24 to rename Montrose Parkway, located in North Bethesda, in honor of the Rev. Josiah Henson. The street to be renamed Josiah Henson Parkway runs through the former plantation property of Isaac Riley, where Henson was enslaved. This property is also home to the Josiah Henson Museum and Park, operated by Montgomery Parks.

Henson, a renowned international speaker and abolitionist, led 118 people from enslavement in the United States to freedom in Canada as a conductor of the Underground Railroad. His autobiography, which depicted his time enslaved on the Riley plantation until he escaped to Canada in 1830, inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The record-breaking book fueled the abolitionist movement in the mid-nineteenth century and helped to propel the American Civil War.

“We are proud to commemorate the Rev. Josiah Henson’s contributions to end slavery with this new street name,” said Montgomery Planning Director Gwen Wright. “We hope that everyone who travels on Josiah Henson Parkway will take a moment to think about how their lives may have been different if it were not for his bravery and perseverance.”

The request to rename Montrose Parkway came from Councilmember Hans Riemer, who sent a letter to Director Wright on January 5 after working collaboratively with community leaders, including Catherine Leggett, Campaign Chair of the Henson Museum Project, the Josiah Henson Museum and Park Advisory Committee, and Warren Fleming, an early advocate of Henson’s legacy.

“It is important that we provide the Rev. Josiah Henson with the public recognition he justifiably deserves, and this new street name is a great step forward,” said Councilmember Riemer. “It will give our residents and children a symbol of the fight for freedom that Henson embodies while reminding our community of our unique history and the role of African American leaders since our founding. I am honored to help make Josiah Henson Parkway a reality in partnership with community leaders, Montgomery Planning and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.”

M-NCPPC is the sole entity authorized under Maryland law with street addressing or renaming streets in Montgomery County, except within certain independent municipalities. The Montgomery County Planning Board has sole approval authority over street renaming, which it has delegated to the Montgomery Planning Director.

After conducting an analysis, Montgomery Planning determined that this renaming is an appropriate way to commemorate Henson as an historic figure of international significance. It will also have a minimal impact on the two properties currently with Montrose Parkway addresses and will eliminate any possible confusion with Montrose Road, also located in North Bethesda.

This renaming effort is separate from the M-NCPPC Streets and Parks Facilities Renaming Review Project, which focuses on Montgomery County-owned and maintained streets and park facilities named after Confederates or those who otherwise do not reflect Montgomery County’s values. Montgomery Planning has so far renamed three streets under that project identified as having full name matches with Confederate soldiers to honor local African American historical figures Geneva Mason and William Dove.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the State Highway Administration (SHA) are expected to install the new street signs for Josiah Henson Parkway in early March.