The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
News Events

Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park – Programs & Events

Need Assistance?

For Active Montgomery account issues: Contact Active Montgomery Help Desk

301-495-2580 or Email

For Program related questions: Contact Woodlawn Office

301-929-5989 or Email Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm

Woodlawn staff is not able to assist with Active Montgomery login/account issues.

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Maryland Emancipation Day Celebration

(Sat) November 7, 2026 10am – 4pm

Maryland Emancipation Day was first celebrated on November 1, 1864. It marked the change in the Maryland State Congress to free all enslaved people from their bondage. Join us on Saturday, November 7 for a day full of history!

10am to 4pm: Free admission to the Woodlawn Museum. Check in at the Visitor Center.

11am: Juanita Sealy Williams and Dianne Bradley, from the Montgomery History Speakers Bureau, will present “Before it was Leisure World, it was the Edmonson Farm.” This presentation tells the story of Paul Edmonson, a freedman who fought for the freedom of his wife and 14 children. Admission, $8 per person. Held inside Woodlawn Manor House first floor. Doors open 10:45am. Due to limited seating, advanced registration is recommended at www.ActiveMontgomery.org. Registration closes Friday, November 6 at 12pm. Limited tickets will be available to purchase the day-of at the Visitor Center.

1pm to 2:30pm: Guided hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Hike tickets can be purchased on www.ActiveMontgomery.org. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children. Limited number of tickets will be available the day of. Check in at the Visitor Center.

For more information call (301) 929 – 5989, or email mcp-Woodlawnprograms@montgomeryparks.org.

Tea at Woodlawn Manor

(Sat) November 14, 2026 2 pm – 4 pm After the Civil War in Montgomery County

You are invited to an educational tea party! Enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea in the parlor of Woodlawn Manor. Clarksville Caterers menu featuring English Tea sandwiches, assorted pastries and fresh fruit as you sip on a special Woodlawn Blend of tea. Manor House doors open at 1:45 pm the day of the program.

November: Continuing the celebration of Maryland Emancipation Day, learn about the aftermath of the Civil War and what it meant for the formerly enslaved in Montgomery County post 1864 through a lecture by Education Program Manager, Christian Murgia. Ticket sales open August 1 and close October 30.

This a quarterly series- next program March 2027. Spring program information and registrations available February 2027.

Appropriate for: Ages 12 and up.

Fee: $55 per person, advance tickets required at www.ActiveMontgomery.org. No seats will be held, no phone payments accepted. Tickets will not be sold onsite the day of the event. For waitlist information, contact Woodlawn office.

For All Active Montgomery account issues: Woodlawn staff is unable to assist with any account login issues. Contact Active Montgomery Help Desk listed on this page.

For program questions: Contact Woodlawn office listed on this page.

When the Stars Led the Way

As we celebrate 250 years of our nation and Montgomery County’s history, learn the importance of “When the Stars Led the Way.” This three part series is brought to you by Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, the Gaithersburg Community Museum Latitude Observatory, and Button Farm Living History Center with programs held at each location.

(Sat) October 10, 6 pm – 8 pm Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park

Twilight Trek on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail: Traverse the trail by moonlight and learn nighttime challenges and opportunities for freedom seekers. The Gaithersburg Community Museum Latitude Observatory will be onsite with a telescope to view the night sky before the hike begins.

Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors and children. Advanced registration required. Active Montgomery

(Sat) October 17, 1pm – 2pm Button Farm Living History Center

Discover how Freedom Seekers navigated the Underground Railroad, by day and night, with help from the nature and the cosmos. Hands-on demonstrations will be included.

Admission: Free. For details, go to buttonfarm.org and menare.org/programs

(Fri) November 13, 6 pm – 8 pm Gaithersburg Community Museum Latitude Observatory

Skywatching with Telescopes: Use a telescope to discover objects in the night sky and learn stories of the constellations.

Admission: Free. For details, go to gburg.md/museum

Woodlawn Manor Yuletide Celebration

(Sat) December 12, 4pm – 7pm

Woodlawn Manor celebrates the Yuletide 19th century style! Explore the Manor House first floor adorned with period inspired decorations, try your hand at 19th century dancing while music of the time echoes through the house. Listen to a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” play parlor games, and try holiday crafts. Light refreshments provided. Event held outdoors and indoors. Tickets are available November 1 through November 30. Check in at the event tent. Recommended ages 10 and up.

Admission: $15 seniors (55+) and children (6-17), $20 adults.  Children 5 and under Free.  Advanced registration required by November 30at 5 pm via ActiveMontgomery. For more information call (301) 929 – 5989, or email mcp-Woodlawnprograms@montgomeryparks.org.

Black History Month Family Day

(Sat) February 6, 2027 11am – 3pm

Children and families are welcome to drop-in to Black History Month Family Day. Hands-on activities include playing traditional African rhythms and discussing their evolution by listening to modern songs, mapping Maryland foods to discover regional recipes that began with enslaved people, reading stories to identify Black courage, and more! Part of a quarterly Family Day series. The event takes place inside the Woodlawn Manor House.

Admission, FREE. No advanced reservation required. Recommended aged 6 and up.For more information call (301) 929 – 5989, or email MCP-WoodlawnPrograms@MontgomeryParks

Black History Month Walking Tour

(Sat) February 20, 2027 1pm – 3pm

Discover the history of enslavement in Maryland and its presence at Woodlawn Manor in this guided tour. Learn the roles of the enslaved on this 19th century farm and explore the Woodlawn Museum and outbuildings. Afterwards, discuss the aftermath of slavery and its impact on Africa in a short presentation inside the Manor House.

This guided tour includes exterior spaces so dress warmly. Content appropriate for ages 7 and up.

Admission, $8 per person. Limited space, advanced registration highly recommended. www.ActiveMongomery.org .

Henson Tour
Group of people in the woods. They stand on a path and look ahead towards a guide wearing a hat and crossbody bag. The guide points to the left.

Hike the Underground Railroad Experience Trail

Guided Hikes are not offered December – March

Public Guided Hike

April – November, 1st & 3rd Saturdays 10:00 – 11:30am

Learn about the experience of 19th century freedom seekers and Montgomery County residents in a guided hike of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter.

Hike is 2 miles roundtrip on a natural surface hiking trail. Trail is not ADA accessible or stroller friendly. Woodlawn Museum admission included. Appropriate for ages 7 and up; fee charged for ages 6 and up.

Fees: $10.00 adults, $8.00 Seniors (55+)/Children 6-17

For Dates and Tickets: Active Montgomery

Advance online tickets highly recommended at ActiveMontgomery. Online sales close 12 noon day before program. Limited walk-in availability based on advance ticket sales. No tickets or spots held or sold by phone/email. (Please note: individuals attending as part of a meet-up/community group must show a valid ActiveMontgomery or register receipt to attend the program.)

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Twilight Trek

May – October Select Saturday evenings, time varies.

Special evening opportunity to learn about the historical context and techniques nighttime travel for freedom seekers. Learn about the challenges and opportunities the stars and moonlight presented travelers including using plants and natural surroundings along the way.

Hike is 2 miles roundtrip on a natural surface hiking trail. Trail is not ADA accessible or stroller friendly. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and wear light colored or reflective clothing. Woodlawn Museum admission included open 30 minutes prior to tour.

Appropriate for ages 15 and up. Advance registration required by 5 pm Wednesday before hike. No tickets will be sold onsite the evening of the program.

Fees: $10.00 adults, $8.00 Seniors (55+)/Children 6-17

Dates: Twilight Treks will resume in late Spring 2027.

For Details and Purchase Tickets: Active Montgomery

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To Purchase Hike Tickets Online:

  1. Log into ActiveMontgomery (An ActiveMONTGOMERY account is required)
  2. Click on “Special Events Tickets”
  3. Click on “Woodlawn Manor Events”
  4. Select the program, date/time you would like to purchase tickets.
  5. Click on “Add to Cart”
  6. On Purchase Options screen, enter “Ticket Quantity” you would like to purchase. NOTE: The ticket block area will display the number of tickets available for purchase online.
  7. Ensure the Shopping Cart correctly lists all the tickets you wish to purchase.
  8. If correct, click on “Proceed to Checkout”. Online payment is required to complete the transaction.
  9. Bring the ActiveMontgomery receipt with you. Only ActiveMontgomery or register receipts can serve as a valid proof of purchase.
  10. Check in at the Visitor Center by showing valid ActiveMontgomery purchase receipt approximately 10 minutes before the program start time. (NOTE: Emails and other forms of communication from other sources will not be accepted as proof of purchase.)
  11. *Program Cancellation/Refund Policies are detailed on each ActiveMontgomery date listing and on the ActiveMontgomery purchase receipt.*
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Preparing for a Guided Hike:

  • Program starts promptly! Plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes prior. Check-in/pay at the Visitor Center.
  • Appropriate for ages 7 and up due to interpretive content and program length. A fee is charged for all attendees ages 6 and up.
  • Pets are not allowed on guided hikes or inside the Woodlawn Museum except for service animals.
  • There are no restrooms or amenities on the trail. Bring your own water, insect repellent, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and wipes.
  • Dress appropriate for the weather. Temperatures may be 5-10 degrees cooler in the woods.
  • Wear comfortable shoes suitable for hiking on a natural surface trail (rocks, branches, mud, etc.)
  • Program canceled for poor trail conditions (ex: extremely deteriorated walking conditions, trail flooded, downed trees blocking trail), forecasted severe weather or low registrations numbers. WMCP will notify all advance ticket holders the day before the program.
  • Staff tip: Remember even if it’s sunny today, trail conditions may be poor from previous days rain and storms!