WHEATON, Md. – Montgomery Parks is unveiling educational panels and a listening post at Johnson’s Local Park, featuring the rich history of the Emory Grove community in Gaithersburg. Founded in 1864 by formerly enslaved African Americans, Emory Grove thrived for nearly a century as a self-sustaining community rooted in faith, tradition, and resilience.
What: Interpretive Signs Unveiling
When: Sunday, March 1, 2026, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Sign unveiling: Johnson’s Local Park, 18000 Washington Grove Lane, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Reception following unveiling: Upper County Recreation Center, 8201 Emory Grove Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Speaking program begins at 2 p.m.
“The content for the interpretive signs and podcasts was shaped by Emory Grove residents and descendants who shared family records, photographs, and personal histories that don’t exist anywhere else,” said Miti Figueredo, director of Montgomery Parks. “We’re grateful for their generosity, which helps us preserve the history of this place and its people for generations to come.”
At its peak, Emory Grove spanned 300 acres and was home to 500 residents. The area became well known for its religious camp meetings sponsored by the Emory Grove United Methodist Church. Every August, thousands of African American worshippers from all over Maryland and other states traveled to the revival-style meetings held on grounds that now include Johnson’s Local Park.
The park is named in honor of businessman Edward Johnson who bought the land in 1947 and built an entertainment hub for African Americans, including a dance hall and lighted baseball field. From the late 1940s into the 1960s, the field hosted local Black baseball sandlot teams and major African American baseball stars, such as Satchel Paige, drawing enthusiastic crowds to the grandstand. Mr. Johnson sold his land to Montgomery County in 1970. Four years later, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission acquired the land from the county, and the public park opened in 1974.
The new interpretive signage at Johnson’s Local Park is part of Montgomery Parks Untold Stories program, which highlights meaningful history connected to parkland.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 416 parks and more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Our parks, programs, and facilities promote physical activity, social connection, and environmental stewardship. As part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery Parks is committed to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible park experiences. M-NCPPC has been stewarding public lands since 1927 and has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services.
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.
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