Events

Montgomery Parks is offering a diverse selection of educational and entertaining programs to celebrate Black History Month. “Montgomery Parks not only has an exciting lineup of events for Black History Month, we also have year-round offerings focused on African American history and culture,” said Shirl Spicer, cultural resources museums manager at Montgomery Parks. “We invite visitors to take advantage of these resources throughout the year, not just in February.”

Unshakable: The Rise of Newmantown at the Agricultural History Farm Park | Every Friday and Saturday in February | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855 The exhibit “Unshakable” explores the history of Albert and Mary Newman, freedmen who emigrated in 1862 from Virginia to Montgomery County, Md., and became landowning farmers despite unprecedented circumstances. Albert and Mary Newman, and their children, built a thriving African American kinship community known as “Newmantown,” located on the grounds of the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. The exhibit showcases photographs, documents, family mementos, local history, and rarely seen artifacts excavated from the site. Free.

Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has an engaging lineup of special events and programs in February, including birdwatching opportunities, the annual GreenScapes landscape design symposium, and special programs in celebration of Black History Month.  

February events in Montgomery Parks include: 

Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, announces Brookside Gardens’ annual symposium GreenScapes on Friday, February 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The focus of this year’s program is “Designing with Purpose.” The symposium features experts discussing the latest advancements in landscape design strategies to achieve a range of goals, from public gardens that engage diverse audiences to landscapes that reduce carbon footprints and are resilient to climate change. The following topics will be explored:

GreenScapes will be offered as a series of live online lectures using Zoom with audience Q&A incorporated into the program. Each session will be recorded and a link to watch the symposium will be emailed to all participants. Tickets for GreenScapes are $55. Register online or call 301-962-1470. Continuing education credits are available from a variety of landscape design and master gardener professional organizations.

Playtime: Black Hill Regional Park is the place to bring your children three and older for exploring, creating, and climbing during Wild Forest Time(opens in a new tab) on Sunday, January 22, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Staff will supply materials and space in the woods, and your kids supply imagination and sense of adventure. Free drop-in program. Meet at Shelter F on Parking Lot 3.

Health: Adults, increase your flexibility and strength, and cultivate your mental focus with Yoga at Brookside Gardens(opens in a new tab) on Saturday, January 21, 9:30 am. Bring your own mat. Ages eighteen and older only.