BROOKEVILLE, MD—Today the Montgomery County Department of Parks announces changes to its operating hours for the 2009 season at the historic Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park, 3610 Brookeville Road.
“We are opening the cabin every second and fourth Saturday of the month now in order to offer a more fulfilling visitor experience,” said Department of Parks Museum Manager Shirl Spicer.
Oakley Cabin opened for the season Saturday, April 4. Before this operating change, free guided tours of Oakley Cabin were offered every Saturday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm by trained volunteer docents. Starting Saturday, June 13, Oakley Cabin will now open every second and fourth Saturday of the month, with FREE guided tours and some of the following special programs:
- Archaeology Day
Saturday, June 13
Dig in the dirt with parks archaeologists at Oakley Cabin and make your own set of marbles to take home.
- Montgomery County Heritage Days
Saturday, June 27 (and Sunday, June 28)
Oakley Cabin will be open as part of the annual Montgomery County Heritage Days celebration. At Oakley Cabin this Saturday visitors will enjoy the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers of Washington, DC and music from Archie’s Barbershop of the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation.
- Movies in the Park
Saturday, July 11
This Saturday at Oakley Cabin the landmark film, Glory, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its release this year, will be featured.
- Theatre in the Park
Saturday, July 25
Enjoy theatrical performances at Oakley Cabin by the Black Butterfly Production Company, featuring Ms. Margaret Locklear-Peck of Baltimore.
Additional “Music in the Park” and “Theatre in the Park” programs are planned for Oakley Cabin in August; September includes a celebration of Grandparents’ Day with a “Back in Grandma’s Day: Traditional Handicrafts” program and another “Archaeology Day;” October brings programs on 19th century medicine and Civil War fashions; with the Maryland Emancipation Day Celebration, Saturday, November 7, officially closing Oakley Cabin for the season. For the complete listing of all the new special programs at Oakley Cabin, see www.OakleyCabin.org.
“We are hoping to bring in even more visitors to Oakley Cabin with these new offerings,” added Spicer, “and more volunteers will also be needed—to help with these special programs and lead cabin tours.”
Becoming a trained historic guide (docent) at Oakley Cabin is FREE and easy. Training begins with an online session, followed by onsite training at Oakley Cabin. The Department of Parks will host the next FREE onsite training session, Saturday, May 30 from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Interested volunteers must complete the online training before attending the onsite training. Apply online at www.ParksVolunteers.org to get started. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. Oakley Cabin volunteer docent positions are Student Service Learning (SSL) hour-approved.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866