Montgomery Parks

On this day, Reverend Josiah Henson was born into slavery in Maryland in 1789. Over the course of his life, Henson endured unimaginable hardships. He was enslaved on the plantation property of Isaac Riley in what is now North Bethesda, Maryland, and the site of the Josiah Henson Museum and Park.

In 1830, Henson escaped with his wife and children to Canada. Henson’s became an influential author, abolitionist, and public speaker. He helped establish Dawn Settlement, a community inhabited by former American slaves and he repeatedly returned to the United States to guide 118 others to freedom as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Henson’s 1849 autobiography, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Stowe’s novel broke all sales records of the time, and many believe the novel helped to propel the Civil War.

Learn more about Henson's legacy by visiting Josiah Henson Museum and Park on Juneteenth: https://mocoparks.org/4uEyj17

It’s back! Join us for more live music in the parks with the every Thursday from 6 to 8pm starting July 16 through August 13. Explore parks across the county with incredible performances by local artists and delicious on-site food options. Bring your chairs and blankets and get ready for a fantastic close to summer festivities!

- The 19th Street Band: Thursday, July 16 @ Black Hill Regional Park

- WJ Dance & Entertainment: Thursday, July 23 @ Rock Creek Regional Park

- 8 Ohms Band: Thursday, July 30 @ Black Hill Regional Park

- Special Delivery: Thursday, August 6 @ Rock Creek Regional Park

- Enslow: Thursday, August 13 @ Cabin John Regional Park

To learn more, visit https://mocoparks.org/SummerConcertSeries