If you love history and are looking for an outing for the weekend of June 24-25, come out for the 24th Annual Heritage Days Weekend. This countywide festival offers programs, activities, and tours appealing to visitors of all ages and interests. With over 30 free events all around Montgomery County, Heritage Days Weekend is the perfect time to explore local history, culture, and nature. Sites are open from noon to 4pm unless otherwise indicated.
In addition to Civil War and agricultural history, the stories of local railroads and trolleys, African American communities, life along the C&O Canal, astronomy, and much more are featured. Heritage Days also highlights local arts & culture as well as outdoor recreation, including biking, hiking, and walking tours. Many venues offer musical entertainment, activities and crafts for children, and refreshments.
Learn about the County’s African American history from tours at Sugarland with St Paul’s Community Church and Cemetary, Boyd’s Negro School, and Button Farm Living History Center. Explore the Josiah Henson Museum and Park in North Bethesda featuring the remarkable story of Josiah Henson’s life as he journeyed from slavery to freedom as the inspiration for Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
In Poolesville, discover the history of this late 1700s National Register historic town. Take a guided tour of Edward’s Ferry Lockhouse #25. Explore the Seneca Store, the oldest continuously running general store in Montgomery County. B-CC Izaak Walton League will open access to the Poolesville site to promote its conservation message with family activities like fishing, archeology, colonial living, archery, bird watching, wildlife and insect displays, and food and soft drinks. Stop in at the Historic Medley District’s Seneca Schoolhouse on River Road, then head to the center of Poolesville to the John Poole House to see this early general store, then cross the street to the Old Town Hall Bank Museum and Exhibit Hall to explore its collection of period artifacts. Plan to stay in town for lunch at any of the fine local restaurants.
Barnesville Town Hall is hosting an exhibit celebrating the 275th Anniversary of the town focusing on themes in Barnesville’s history-its geographic location, indigenous people, early settlers, transportation, agriculture, the civil war, area churches, and schools as well as local families including the jacket worn by Virginia Hall, the most dangerous of all allied WWII spies, who settled in Barnesville with her husband.
Enjoy Heritage Days Weekend and explore fascinating sites that help make Montgomery County great!