NORTH BETHESDA, MD—The Montgomery County Department of Parks, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), will celebrate Black History Month this February with special events at Josiah Henson Special Park, 11420 Old Georgetown Road.
“We are pleased to open up the site for Black History Month this year for these special events,” said Department of Parks Museum Manager Shirl Spicer.
FREE guided tours of the Josiah Henson Historic site, “A Walk in Father Henson’s Footsteps,” will be offered each Saturday, February 5, 12, 19 and 26, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. Visitors will learn about the extraordinary life of Reverend Josiah Henson, whose autobiography inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. They will also retrace the footsteps of Reverend Henson from enslavement to escape on the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada, and walk the grounds where Henson toiled as a slave on the Isaac Riley plantation.
The Department of Parks will close out its Black History Month celebration at Josiah Henson Special Park on Saturday, February 26, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm with a special poetry event, “Lyrical Rhythms: The Sounds of Freedom.”
“This is our first ever live spoken word, poetry event,” added Spicer. “We are very excited about it and welcome poets of all experience levels to join us for this special event.”
Poets are invited to create their own "sounds of freedom" in the form of original poetry focused on any of the following themes: slavery, freedom, Underground Railroad, Reverend Josiah Henson, “Uncle Tom,” Civil War, or any other topics related to the African American experience. During the event, poets will read their original works. A reception with light refreshments will immediately follow.
Volunteers are still needed to help with these Black History Month programs at Josiah Henson Special Park. Free training is available, Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
For more on these upcoming events and volunteering, see www.JosiahHensonSite.org or call Department of Parks Museum Manager Shirl Spicer at 301-650-4373.
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Guided Tours: “A Walk in Father Henson's Footsteps”
Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011
12:00 noon - 3:00 pm
Josiah Henson Special Park
11420 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Cost: FREE
More information: www.JosiahHensonSite.org
Poetry Event: “Lyrical Rhythms: The Sounds of Freedom”
Saturday, February 26, 2011
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Josiah Henson Special Park
11420 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda
Cost: FREE
More information: www.JosiahHensonSite.org
Parking for these events is available only at the Montgomery Aquatic Center, 5900 Executive Boulevard (about 1.5 blocks away).
Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866
