SILVER SPRING, MD — The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and others invite the public to commemorate Maryland Emancipation Day, the freeing of slaves in Maryland, with a variety of free activities on Saturday, November 5 at three Montgomery County sites: Woodlawn Manor, Sandy Spring Slave Museum and the African Art Gallery and Oakley Cabin.
Woodlawn Manor – 9 a.m.
Park historian Susan Soderberg will welcome visitors to historic Woodlawn Manor, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring to begin a hike on the “Underground Railroad,” a two-mile trail through the woods and fields to Sandy Spring. A shuttle van will carry people back to Woodlawn.
Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Located at 18524 Brooke Road in Sandy Spring, the museum exhibit includes papers that freed slaves, items from the slavery era and a variety of local artifacts. Lunch is for sale by Ribs-on-the-Run.
Oakley Cabin – 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Reenactors from the 54th Massachusetts regiment, living history portrayers, and hot cider and cornbread will be available at Oakley Cabin, Montgomery County’s premier African American historic site, 3610 Brookeville Road in Brookeville. The event will culminate with a program of celebration at Oakley Cabin beginning at 2 p.m. with singers and a speaker, Dr. Alonzo Smith who will speak on the abolition of slavery. Parking is available at Longwood Recreation Center on Georgia Avenue between Olney and Brookeville, and a shuttle bus will carry people to Oakley Cabin.
Maryland Emancipation Day events are free, open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Call 301-563-3400 for additional information, or check the web site: www.montgomeryparks.org or www.montgomeryparksfnd.org.