Montgomery History Open for Viewing at Heritage Days

Area residents and visitors who wonder about African American history, the Civil War or agriculture in Montgomery County's early days can slake their curiosity this weekend as historic sites across the county open their doors for Montgomery's 12th annual Heritage Days.

Forty historic sites from Poolesville to Glen Echo will offer tours, entertainment and music. People will be able to see glass blowers in Laytonsville or learn to color Easter eggs in onion skins at the Latvian Museum and church in Rockville.

The weekend is sponsored by the Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County. The alliance, known as Heritage Montgomery, is a nonprofit organization among those created through state legislation to promote the history of areas of the state to residents and tourists.

Peggy Erickson, director of the Heritage Tourism Alliance, said the weekend is an opportunity for people to get out and explore.

"People often don't realize that many significant historical sites are literally right here," she said. The Heritage Montgomery slogan -- "Hm! History where you least expect it!" -- even hints at that.

For example, Silver Spring is home to the Josiah Henson historic site, better known as Uncle Tom's Cabin, the home where the Rev. Josiah Henson lived and worked as a slave. Henson's autobiography served as the inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The cabin will be open Sunday only for tours on the half-hour beginning at noon.

In Poolesville, Civil War buffs will be able to visit White's Ferry, where Confederate Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry crossed the Potomac River on an incursion that eventually led to Gettysburg. It was also where the first signal balloon was sent aloft, Erickson said.

Interest in the annual Heritage Days event has grown dramatically, Erickson said. The first year, the event attracted 1,500 visitors. Last year, more than 16,000 people toured the Heritage Montgomery sites. Erickson said the economic downturn might also boost attendance as more people look for weekend outings closer to home.

Jenni Cloud, marketing and communications associate for Glen Echo Park, said events such as Heritage Days gives people a "richer sense of what's going on" in the community.

Heritage Days activities help introduce Glen Echo Park to a broader audience than those who might remember the site from its early days as an amusement park, she said.

With 40 sites participating this weekend, it will be impossible for folks to see everything, Erickson said. The key will be to plan ahead. Also, some sites are open year-round, so visitors will have other opportunities to see them, she said.

Those planning the Heritage Days events have tried to make touring easier by dividing the county into areas. Heritage Montgomery also offers a free podcast that includes a driving tour of Upcounty sites. It can be downloaded at http://www.heritagemontgomery.org.