OLNEY, MD—This Saturday, November 7, the Montgomery County Department of Parks will celebrate Maryland Emancipation Day with a special program at Oakley Cabin. Maryland Emancipation Day commemorates the historic November 1, 1864 Maryland constitution that freed enslaved persons living in the state.
The celebration program at Oakley Cabin, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, will include the reading of the Maryland Emancipation Announcement by Historical Reenactor Charles Ben Hawley and feature a keynote address by cultural-heritage historian Dr. Cheryl LaRoche of the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. LaRoche is a historical and archaeological consultant whose work often lies at the intersections between the academy and the public.
Immediately following the special Emancipation Day program at Oakley Cabin, Culinary Historian Michael Twitty will offer a traditional foodways demonstration. Also, throughout the day (12:00 noon to 4:00 pm), participants will enjoy FREE guided cabin tours, Historical Reenactor Anita Henderson, refreshments, a Civil War fashion show with Historical Reenactor Denise Benedetto, songs, archaeology digs and hands-on activities for children.
To honor Maryland Emancipation Day, the Montgomery County Department of Parks is also offering a host of FREE activities at two of its other historic sites: guided hikes of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail and guided tours of the Josiah Henson Historic Site (informally known as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”). The Sandy Spring Slave Museum and Odd Fellows Lodge will also host FREE tours and activities for Maryland Emancipation Day. For more information on Emancipation Day activities see www.ParksCulturalResources.org.
WHO:
Montgomery County Department of Parks
Montgomery County Council President Phil Andrews
Dr. Cheryl LaRoche, University of Maryland, College Park
Charles Ben Hawley, Historical Reenactor of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, B Company, Washington DC
Michael Twitty, Culinary Historian
Anita Henderson, Historical Reenactor
Denise Benedetto, Historical Reenactor
WHAT:
Maryland Emancipation Day
WHEN:
Saturday, November 7, 2009
12:00 – 4:00 pm; Maryland Emancipation Day Program will run from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
WHERE:
Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park
3610 Brookeville Road
Olney, MD 20832
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866