Montgomery Parks offers a rich historic heritage to explore.
Montgomery Parks explore the county’s rich African American heritage at these historic sites: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park (featuring the Underground Railroad Experience Trail and Woodlawn Museum) in Sandy Spring, Josiah Henson Museum & Park in North Bethesda, and Oakley Cabin African American Museum in Olney.
Our school field trip programs provide an enlightening overview of the African American experience from slavery to freedom for grades 2 and up. Lesson plans are developed in accordance with the Maryland State Curriculum – Social Studies Content Standards. Students will engage in topics related to enslavement in Montgomery County, Maryland, resistance to slavery – such as self-emancipation, and the impact of the Civil War on the African American community.
Josiah Henson Museum & Park
11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Group Tours & Outreach Programs Now Available
Parks staff and trained volunteers will conduct outreach programs and community history talks for groups and students per request during the week, Monday through Thursday. Limited group tours are also available upon request. Please note that COVID-19 restrictions have limited group tour opportunities. For more information email: HensonPrograms@montgomeryparks.org or call 301-765-8790. Request an Outreach Program Date
HISTORY-IN-THE-BOX Program
Parks’ History-In-A-Box learning kits can be rented for one or more weeks by schools and other educational institutions. Each kit contains hands-on objects, photographs, artifacts, primary source documents, and lesson plans. The History-In-A-Box learning kits provide an exciting exploration into various parts of history and locations throughout Montgomery County.
“Searching for Josiah Henson,” our inaugural learning kit, is also part of an exciting new outreach program designed for students in grades 4th – 8th. This presentation provides interactive lessons designed to fit within a single class period. The presentation focuses on Rev. Henson’s life, enslavement in Maryland and the Underground Railroad experience. The presentation is also accompanied by a three-week rental of the History-In-A-Box learning kit – included in the program fee.
For booking and rental information, email: HensonPrograms@montgomeryparks.org or call 301-765-8790.
Group Tours | School Field Trips: Grades 2 & up
Experience hands-on living history lessons at this 19th-century log cabin that was once the center of an African American roadside community. Groups will learn about daily life of Oakley’s African American families in the late 1800s during the Reconstruction Era following the end of the Civil War. Please note that the historic cabin is not an ADA accessible building.
Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park
3610 Brookeville Road, Olney, MD 20832
Programs offered:
“Daily Life at Oakley” – Grades 2 – 4
“Montgomery County During the Reconstruction Era” – Grades 5 & up
Bookings available Monday – Friday, April through mid-November. Plan for an hour-long experience.
Request a Tour Date
For booking information, email: HistoryTours@montgomeryparks.org or call 301-650-4373.
Woodlawn Museum & Underground Railroad Experience Trail
16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
Group Tours & General Information: 301-929-5989 (Press 5)
Email Woodlawn Groups
For Group tours information visit Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park-Group Tours
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park includes the popular Underground Railroad Experience Trail and the Woodlawn Museum inside the 19th century stone barn. Guided trail hikes and tours are available for groups of 15+ paying visitors. Tours are offered April through November, Tuesday through Saturday by advance reservation. Minimum of 2 weeks advanced reservation is required. (During peak seasons spring/fall more time is advised.)
Schedule a Tour
For Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park (Woodlawn Museum & Underground Railroad Experience Trail):
- Visit Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park-Group Tours or contact Woodlawn’s Office: 301-929-5989 (press 5) | Email Woodlawn Groups
For Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park:
- Contact Historic Sites Group Tours: 301-650-4373 | Email Historic Sites Tours
Request a Tour Date
To ensure availability of the time/location you are interested in, we recommend scheduling your trip at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance. However, reservations may be accepted up to 2 weeks prior to your requested visitation date. School group coordinators will receive a Teachers Resource Guide upon completion of their group reservation. The Resource Guides include curriculum-based pre- and post-visit activities for each of the three historic sites.
Request a Tour Date
- Step 1
Make a tour date request by contacting the Group Tours office for your preferred site. School group tours are available weekdays- see historic site details. - Step 2
Once your request has been received and confirmed, staff will contact you with billing information needed to complete your reservation. - Step 3
After your group reservation has been completed, you will receive a final tour confirmation packet that includes: a Teachers Resource Guide (for educators), driving and parking directions, and other pertinent information.
Group Size
Group sizes varies per each historic site. Please contact each historic site for additional information.
Group Rates
Discounted rates are available for Title 1 students at each historic site. Rates below are applicable to Oakley Cabin African American Museum only.
Oakley Cabin: Admission fee per person:
- Students $5 | Adults $7 | Seniors $5
- One complimentary chaperone ticket is allowed for every 10 student tickets
Chaperones
One chaperone is required for every 10 students participating in a school tour. (Requirements may vary at each historic site.) Chaperones must remain with their group throughout the visit and are responsible for managing all members of their group.
Special Accommodations/Accessibility
Montgomery Parks encourages the participation of individuals with disabilities. Contact our Group Tour offices directly for arrangements: Email Historic Sites Tours (for Oakley Cabin) or Woodlawn Groups or Henson Programs
Lunches
Onsite lunch facilities vary depending on the historic site.
Contact Us
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park (Woodlawn Museum & Underground Railroad Experience Trail)
Group Tours & General Information: 301-929-5989 (press 5) |Email Woodlawn Groups
Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park
Group Tours & General Information: 301-650-4373 |Email Historic Sites Tours
Josiah Henson Museum & Park
Group Tours & General Information: 301-765-8790 |Email Henson Programs