Montgomery History Seeks Volunteer Judges for National History Day, March 8

 

Montgomery History is looking for volunteer judges for the National History Day competition on Saturday, March 8. National History Day is a transformative learning experience for middle and high school students where they learn about history hands-on by creating projects centered around a theme. Through months of research using primary and secondary sources, students create and present a presentation in one of five formats: paper, exhibit, documentary, performance or website.

Judges are needed to evaluate the work and support a new generation of historians. No experience is necessary, just a love of history and a desire to pass it on to the next generation.

Visit the Montgomery History website to learn more and sign up.

'The Montgomery County Poor Farm and Almshouse: Its History and People' Will Be Focus of Montgomery History Online Presentation on Tuesday, Dec. 17

For nearly 160 years, the Almshouse at the Montgomery County Poor Farm was the last resort for poor people who were unable to take care of themselves due to physical, mental and developmental disabilities. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, “The Montgomery County Poor Farm and Almshouse: Its History and People” will be the focus of a free online presentation of Montgomery History.

Writer, researcher and family historian Julianne Mangin will look at some of their stories, including how they lived and died, and shed light on conditions there. Despite the oversight of County officials and the efforts of reformers, the Almshouse was a place where the poor were neglected, abused and exposed to unsafe conditions until it closed in 1948.

To join the presentation, go to Webinar Registration - Zoom

‘An Exploration of Historic Ag Reserve Homes’ Will Be Featured Montgomery History Online Presentation Starting Monday, Nov. 25

As part of the “New Deal” in 1933, the National Park Service launched the “Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS).” How this led to researching the old homes in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve will be the subject of a free only presentation of Montgomery History. The presentation will be available for a one-week period starting Monday, Nov. 25. 

To view the presentation starting Monday, register at History Conversations.

“An Exploration of Historic Ag Reserve Homes from the 1936 Historic American Buildings Survey” will be led by historian Kenny Sholes. The original main project became known as the “HABS Report.”

Guided by field instructions from Washington, D.C., the first HABS recorders were tasked with documenting a representative sampling of America’s architectural heritage. Fortunately, many of the historic homes in what later became Montgomery County’s land now known as the “Agricultural Reserve” were documented.

The presentation will include photos of the oldest homes of some of the structures.

The discussion was originally presented at Montgomery History’s Fall 2023 Conference.

Montgomery History’s Annual Conference, With Keynote Address on How Underground Railroad Evolved, Will Be Saturday, Oct. 19, in Rockville

Registration is open for the 2024 Montgomery County History Conference that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Montgomery College's Rockville campus in the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center. The conference will offer myriad opportunities to engage with local history, including a keynote address, nine breakout sessions and a documentary screening. The keynote session will detail the life of Thomas Smallwood, a local man born into slavery who eventually purchased his own freedom.

Montgomery College’s Rockville campus is located at 51 Mannakee Street
in Rockville.

Tickets to attend the conference, which will run from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., are $75. To register, click here.

A special $15 student registration is available by emailing proof of enrollment status to Matt Gagle. Additionally, scholarship opportunities are available for those who need financial assistance.

Thomas Smallwood organized mass escapes from slavery by the wagonload, and first penned the phrase "Underground Railroad." Author Scott Shane will explore the incredible life's work of Thomas Smallwood and his lasting legacy.

The conference will close with a documentary screening of "Ten Days in September 1956," a film detailing the integration of Poolesville High School as told by those who lived it. This screening will close with a panel discussion by several participants from the film.

Breakout sessions will cover wide-ranging topics including the groundbreaking story of Romeo and Elsie Horad, Latvian immigration and freedom in the 1990s, the legendary life of Josiah Henson, a celebration of the 50 years of the tireless work done by Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, the stunning designs of Montgomery County's mid-century religious architecture, a history of Hip Hop, Bethesda Big Train Baseball's first quarter century, a commemoration of the Historic Medley District and a discussion of the archaeology of the Emory Church property.

A full schedule, session descriptions and more information can be found on the Montgomery History website.

Farmers Banking and Trust Building at 4 Courthouse Square in Rockville Gets ‘Local Historic Designation’

The Farmers Banking and Trust Building, long a centerpiece in Downtown Rockville, has been approved by Rockville's mayor and council for a local historic designation.

The building at 4 Courthouse Square most recently served as a branch of M&T Bank. Built in 1930, it is considered to be the last art deco building (popular during the period from about 1925-1940) in Rockville. It survived the urban renewal efforts in Rockville Town Center in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Farmer’s Banking and Trust Building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 as part of the Montgomery County Courthouse National Register Historic District. The Courthouse Square Historic District, a City of Rockville local historic district designated in 1979, includes the 1891 Red Brick Courthouse, the 1931 Grey Courthouse, and the 1938 Post Office. However, the building at 4 Courthouse Square was not included within the local historic district boundaries and was previously not locally designated.

Esther Haynes and Keith Grimes Will Play Acoustic Tunes from American Songbook to Conclude Kensington Historical Society’s Free Morning Concert Series on Saturday, Sept. 28

Esther Haynes and Keith Grimes will play acoustic tunes from the American songbook to conclude the Kensington Historical Society’s free morning concert series at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Howard Avenue Park in Kensington.

Howard Avenue Park is located at 3709-3723 Howard Ave. in Kensington.

Esther Haynes is an early jazz and American roots singer and rhythm guitarist based in the Washington area. Her third album, “Moon Country” (2013), features Keith Grimes on guitar and other noted D.C.-area musicians. It received a Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) in 2013. Her debut CD “Esther Haynes” (2001) received a Wammie nomination and her second release, entitled “Approach Note” (2004), garnered favorable online reviews. She has received 12 Wammie awards for big band/swing and jazz vocals.

Keith has played a major role in D.C.’s music scene, having played for five years as the lead guitarist and co-musical director for the late Eva Cassidy. Keith’s masterful guitar work is heard on nearly all of Eva’s phenomenally successful recordings.

Keith also has performed with D.C.’s “Godfather of Go-Go” Chuck Brown, the Nighthawks and Bill Kirchen. Keith plays regularly in area clubs with the Built 4 Comfort Band.

An integral part of Kensington since 1977, the Kensington Historical Society develops programs that address a broad view of local history. It aims to stimulate greater interest in Kensington history and the preservation of Kensington’s architecture.

‘History of Reed Brothers Dodge’ in Rockville Will Be Subject of Free Montgomery History Virtual Presentation on Tuesday, Sept. 24

Reed Brothers Dodge was one of the longest running automobile dealerships in Montgomery County history, operating from two locations in Rockville for more than 97 years. A free virtual presentation at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from Montgomery History will look at how the former company overcame inevitable changes and challenges throughout almost a century of being in business.

The presentation, which will be led by Jeanne Gartner, will feature historical photographs taken by the dealership’s founder, Lewis Reed, and will highlight how Reed Brothers Dodge came into being. The company dated to World War I, lasted through the Great Depression and World War II, and survived economic recessions and numerous Chrysler financial setbacks during the 1970s and 80s. The business rose and fell with the tides of the auto industry and stood the test of time.

To register and join the session via Zoom, go to Webinar Registration - Zoom.

Montgomery History to Lead In-Person Tour of Button Farm on Saturday, Sept. 14, Telling Story of Plantation Life and Underground Railroad

Montgomery History will lead “Button Farm Almanac,” a guided tour of the Button Farm Living History Center in Germantown, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Led by historian and Menare founder Tony Cohen, the tour will reveal the Button Farm’s history and environs from a behind-the-scenes perspective.

Button Farm is located at 16820 Black Rock Road in Germantown.

The tour will create immersive experiences on the 40 acres of Maryland farmland. It will interpret the story of plantation life and the Underground Railroad.

Limited tickets are available for the experience. Tickets are $25 per person. To register and learn more about the tour, go to Montgomery History | Kindful.

‘Saving the Historic Otho Trundle Barn’ in Dickerson Will Be Free Virtual Presentation from Montgomery History on Thursday, Sept. 19

Otho Trundle’s barn, thought to have been built around 1830, will turn 200 in a few years. About 30 acres remain of the property in Dickerson, which is believed to have hosted Northern Civil War soldiers as they spent time resting when the Confederate Army passed right by on their Maryland Campaign of 1862. The effort to save Otho Trundle’s Barn will be the subject of a free virtual presentation of Montgomery History at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19.

The barn is not in great shape currently. Its roof collapsed as a result of weather in mid-August. In this presentation, Kenny Sholes, a board member of the Historic Medley District and creator of Historic Ag Reserve Properties, will talk about the history of the barn and ongoing efforts to preserve and stabilize the structure.

To register for the presentation, go to Webinar Registration - Zoom.

Montgomery Parks Historians to Share Stories of ‘Women of the Underground Railroad’ and ‘History of Woodlawn Plantation’ in Special Lecture Series

Stories of the “Brave Women of the Underground Railroad” and the “History of Woodlawn Plantation,” the 200-year-old former Quaker plantation, will be featured in the Montgomery Parks September and October History Hour lecture series. Park historians will present the sessions from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, and Thursday, Oct. 17, at Josiah Henson Museum and Park in North Bethesda.

Josiah Henson Museum and Park is located at 11410 Old Georgetown Road in North Bethesda. Parking is only available at Wall Local Park at 5900 Executive Blvd. in North Bethesda. There is limited accessible parking at the Museum.

Tickets for each lecture are $5. Purchase tickets here. The lectures are appropriate for ages 13 and older.

Montgomery Parks Cultural Resources Museums Manager Shirl Spicer will present the September edition, “Women of the Underground Railroad: African American Experiences of Maryland.” The lecture will explore the history and participation of Maryland women, including Harriett Tubman, in the Underground Railroad.

The October lecture, “The Voices of Woodlawn Manor: A 200-year-old Cultural Site,” will be presented by Christian Murgia, education program manager at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Murgia will delve into the history of Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park as a location in continuous use since its founding more than 200 years ago with many different voices echoing throughout the grounds. The dynamic site has been a boarding school, a Quaker plantation with an enslaved population and is currently a historical site operated by Montgomery Parks.

“Montgomery County has such rich 18th- and 19th-century history, especially African American history, that many people don’t know about,” said Diana Klein, the education program manager at the Josiah Henson Museum and Park. “We are really excited to bring awareness of this history to the public and showcase our in-house experts.”

Guests are encouraged to arrive early and take a self-guided tour of the museum. Doors open at 5 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

‘U.S. National Bureau of Standards Moves to Gaithersburg’ Will Be Focus of Montgomery History Virtual Presentation on Tuesday, Aug. 27

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) began in 1901 as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). For 65 years, the main activities of the NBS were carried out on a small, wooded campus 3½ miles from the White House. In 1966, the NBS moved to new research facilities in Gaithersburg. The story behind that move will be the focus of a free, live, virtual presentation of Montgomery History at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Bert Coursey, a retired NIST employee and chair of the NIST Alumni History Committee, will lead the presentation. It will include period photos, will focus on the reasons for the move, the people (scientific staff, administrators and architects) and the construction of the facilities in Gaithersburg.

NIST is now part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories. Congress established the agency to remove a major challenge to U.S. industrial competitiveness at the time—a second-rate measurement infrastructure that lagged behind the capabilities of the United Kingdom, Germany and other economic rivals.

From the smart electric power grid and electronic health records to atomic clocks, advanced nanomaterials and computer chips, innumerable products and services rely in some way on technology, measurement and standards provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Today, NIST measurements support the smallest of technologies to the largest and most complex of human-made creations—from nanoscale devices so tiny that tens of thousands can fit on the end of a single human hair up to earthquake-resistant skyscrapers and global communication networks.

To view the Montgomery History presentation, register at Webinar Registration - Zoom.

History of Rockwood Manor Special Park, Which Once Was a Girl Scout Camp, Is Focus of Montgomery History Presentation

Before it was a Montgomery County park and wedding destination, Rockwood Manor Special Park in Potomac was a national Girl Scout camp. Its long and involved history is the subject of a Montgomery History virtual presentation, which will be available for viewing for a one-week period starting Monday, Aug. 19.

When Girl Scouts USA sold the camp, which is located at 11001 Macarthur Blvd, in Potomac, to residential developers, neighbors and individual Girl Scouts fought to stop the sale.

In “Remembering Rockwood,” author Ann Robertson, shares why Rockwood was so important to save, and how the Girl Scouts fought back. She told the story in her book “Rescue Rockwood: How a Group of Determined Girl Scouts Rallied to Save a Beloved National Camp.”

Located along the Potomac River and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, Rockwood was the country home of Washington real estate developer Carolyn Gangwer Caughey. She purchased the land for its rolling hills, the lush cedar, tulip poplar, oak trees and the many birds and wildflowers. She chose the name Rockwood due to the sparkling gold-flecked rocks dotting the edges of a small, clear brook.

Mrs. Caughey (pronounced “Coy”) bequeathed her sizable estate, including Rockwood, to the national Girl Scouts organization upon her death in 1936. Once the property was converted from mansion to camp, Rockwood became a national hub of Girl Scouting. Between 1938 and 1978, more than half a million girls spent at least one night at Rockwood. The camp hosted adult training workshops, campers of all skill levels, sightseeing troops, special programs drawing girls from across the country, school groups, church groups, and international visitors.

The presentation, which originally aired in 2023, can be seen for free at History Conversations (montgomeryhistory.org).

‘On the Homefront in Montgomery County During WW II’ Will Be Free Online Presentation of Montgomery History Starting Monday, Aug. 5

In the early 1940s, all across the country, America was swinging dancing to the music of Glenn Miller. Starlets like Ginger Rogers and Mary Martin, were lighting up the silver screen. “Esquire” magazine featured Petty girls. Gasoline was about 20 cents a gallon, bread about eight cents a loaf, and a movie cost a quarter. And there was a war going on. How this impacted residents of Montgomery County will be examined in a free online presentation of Montgomery History starting Monday, Aug. 5, and available for a one-week period.

“On the Homefront in Montgomery County During WW II,” part of the County Cable Montgomery series “Paths to the Present,” addresses the myriad of ways life in Montgomery County was affected by the war in a myriad of ways. Through interviews with people who were there, it looks at how County residents supported the war effort, dealt with food shortages, entertained troops, protected civilians and managed the labor shortage during this challenging time in world history.

To view the presentation starting Aug. 5, go to History Conversations (montgomeryhistory.org).

‘Crossing the River: The Historical Significance of Montgomery County’s Potomac Ferries’ Will Be Virtual Presentation on Tuesday, July 30

White’s Ferry—until it was closed four years ago—was a living history example of a long tradition of Potomac River ferries tying together Montgomery County and northern Virginia. When the C&O Canal was operational for nearly 90 years, White’s Ferry, along with the Edwards and Spinks ferries upcountry, took on added importance. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, ‘Crossing the River: The Historical Significance of Montgomery County’s Potomac Ferries’ will be a free, live virtual presentation of Montgomery History.

Historian Ralph Buglass will lead the presentation, which will offer a wealth of new research conducted to support reopening White’s Ferry, which operated between Poolesville and Leesburg, Va.,

Established in 1786, White’s Ferry was a significant transportation route between Maryland and Virginia, carrying nearly 800 daily users. It closed in late 2020 after a 16-year legal dispute could not be resolved. Montgomery County still hopes it can negotiate a way to reopen the operation.

White's Ferry is the last of 100 ferries that used to operate on the Potomac River. The ferry, named after the Confederate Civil War General Jubal A. Early, connects Whites Ferry Road in Montgomery County with a road by the same name in Leesburg, which is in Loudoun County. The cars on each side would line up on what looks like a boat ramp and drive down onto the ferry. Once loaded, the ferry followed a wire cable to the other side of the Potomac.

To view the presentation via Zoom, register at Webinar Registration - Zoom.

Montgomery History will host its third annual free Ice Cream Social at Shirley Povich Field in Rockville from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31. The Montgomery History team and fellow history lovers will be present and ice cream and sundae supplies will be provided. Dairy-free options will be available, too.

Shirley Povich field is located at 10600 Westlake Dr. in Bethesda

To register to attend the event, go to Ice Cream Social at Povich Field (google.com).

‘The Washington Trolley Story’ Will Be Online Presentation of Montgomery History Starting Monday, July 1

“The Washington Trolley Story” about the history of streetcars in the Washington metropolitan area will be a free online presentation of Montgomery History starting Monday, July 1. The presentation, led by Larry Velte of the National Capital Trolley Museum, will be available through July 8.

The talk will address the trolley network, the evolution of streetcar technology and engineering and the social and economic impact of the streetcar on public life.

Information also will be discussed about the National Capital Trolley Museum, which is located at 1313 Bonifant Rd. in Colesville. The museum allows this history to be experienced firsthand.

To view the presentation July 1-8, go to History Conversations (montgomeryhistory.org).

“The Washington Trolley Story” originally aired in 2020.

‘In Search of the Ballfields of Montgomery’s Black Communities’ Will Be Focus of Montgomery History Presentation

Tim Warner said that for many of Montgomery County’s Black communities, “History is buried with the people.” Along with churches and schools, baseball was the center of civic life for many of the County’s small towns for much of the first half of the 20th Century. “In Search of the Ballfields of Montgomery’s Black Communities,” a presentation from Montgomery History, looks at the proud history baseball played in many Black communities.

The presentation, which is hosted by former County Councilmember and Bethesda Big Train Founder and President Bruce Adams, will be viewable for free for a one-week period starting Monday, June 17. It can be viewed at History Conversations (montgomeryhistory.org).

Nearly every Black area had a town team with the community’s name on the jersey, such as Clarksburg, Emory Grove, Germantown, Poolesville, Rockville, Scotland, Stewartown and Sandy Spring. On Saturdays and Sundays after church, hundreds would turn out to support their teams. On Memorial Day, a thousand fans would descend on Emory Grove for a picnic and ballgames at the County’s finest ballfield, Johnson Park.

This talk will explore the story of these town teams and the meaning to their communities during the decades when Negro League baseball was thriving across the country from the 1920s through the early 1960s.

The presentation originally aired at the 2021 Montgomery County History Conference.

‘Becoming Americans: 1774’ Presentation Will Celebrate 250th Anniversary of the ‘Hungerford Resolves’ in Rockville

The 250th anniversary of the “Hungerford Resolves,” when 10 men from the area that became Montgomery County signed a set of historic agreements at Hungerford’s Tavern in the tiny crossroads village now called Rockville, will be celebrated with a free online presentation of Montgomery History at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11. That is the actual anniversary of the historic event.

The presentation led by host Sandra Heiler will place the Resolves in the context of the transition of American colonists from Englishmen and -women to Americans. The event will focus on the chain of events that led to the Resolves, what they agreed to, why they were historic and what happened next.

The Montgomery History event will be presented in partnership with Peerless Rockville, that City’s historic preservation organization.

To register to view the presentation via Zoom, go to Webinar Registration - Zoom.

‘Uncovering Montgomery History’s Collections Gems’ Will Tell Stories of County’s Past in Online Presentation on Tuesday, June 4

Montgomery History—the County’s Rockville-based historical society—has been serving residents and the region through its research library, adult programs, educational activities, publications, exhibits and conferences since the organization was founded in 1944. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, the only organization addressing the entire scope of County history will reveal a bit about its work—and the County’s past—in the free online presentation “Uncovering Montgomery History’s Collections Gems.”

Sammie Hatton, Montgomery History’s collections manager, will lead the virtual look at some of the more than 10,000 objects within the organization’s collection. The items range from textiles and portraits to ceramics and medical devices.

The wide variety of items helps tell the story of life in Montgomery County throughout time. During her talk, Ms. Hatton, a former volunteer turned staff member, also will address her training and experience and help viewers understand what her work entails. She also will discuss a few of her favorite objects in the collection, some of which are on display and some others that remain protected in storage.

Montgomery History states it “is where the stories of who we are, rooted in where we have been, are collected, preserved and shared.”

To view the presentation via Zoom, register at https://montgomeryhistory.org/events/.

‘Montgomery Agriculture: From Tobacco to Today’ Will Be Montgomery History Presentation Starting Monday, May 6

The rich soil of Montgomery County has supported a wide variety of agricultural enterprises, ranging from millennia of crop cultivation by indigenous communities to tobacco plantations of the first colonial settlers of European descent. This evolved to market farming serving growing populations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The transformation of County farming is the subject of a free online presentation, "Montgomery Agriculture: From Tobacco to Today," from Montgomery History.

The presentation will be available on-demand for a one-week period starting Monday, May 6.

The agriculture of Montgomery County has diversified to include commodity grain production, landscaping and horse-riding operations, as well as a small but growing table-food and pick-your-own sector. The Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, a land-planning treasure, grants the assurance that farming will remain part of the story of the County forever.

Tom Farquhar leads the presentation, which originally aired at the 2023 Montgomery County History Conference.

To access “Montgomery Agriculture: From Tobacco to Today” starting May 6, go to History Conversations (montgomeryhistory.org).

Silver Spring SPARKLE Event on Wednesday, May 8, Will Look at ‘Mapping Racial Segregation: Racial Restrictive Covenants in Montgomery County’

The restrictive covenants that enforced segregation in communities throughout Montgomery County in 1900s will be the topic of a presentation by SPARKLE at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at the Silver Spring Civic Building.

The Silver Spring Civic Building is located at 1 Veterans Pl. in Downtown Silver Spring.

“Mapping Racial Segregation: Racial Restrictive Covenants in Montgomery County” will be led by County Cultural Resource Planner John Liebertz. He will talk about how restrictive covenants limited where certain groups of people could live. He also will address the efforts of activists eventually opened up suburban neighborhoods.

Mr. Liebertz is leading a team documenting the history of racial restrictive covenants in Montgomery County.

SPARKLE is a program of Silver Spring Village. It stands for “Senior Programs Aimed at Re-Kindling Lifetime Engagement.” Silver Spring Village is dedicated to helping people age in place.

The event is free to attend, but advance reservations are recommended. To RSVP, send a message to programs@silverspringvillage.org.