September is International Underground Railroad Month, a time to honor the freedom seekers who risked everything to escape slavery and those who helped them along the way. Montgomery County, Maryland, holds a unique place in this history with historic sites, museums, and immersive cultural experiences that bring these powerful stories to life.
If you’re looking for things to do in Montgomery County, Maryland, this September, here are the top stops and events to explore:
Button Farm Living History Center
16820 Black Rock Road, Germantown, MD
Montgomery County is home to Maryland’s only living history center dedicated to telling the story of the Underground Railroad. At Button Farm Living History Center, you can step onto a recreated 19th-century plantation, tour heritage gardens, and explore historic exhibits that share the stories of enslaved people and freedom seekers. On September 13, the farm also hosts Harriet Tubman Day, honoring one of history’s most courageous leaders.
💡 Did You Know? Harriet Tubman returned to Maryland about 13 times to guide roughly 70 enslaved people to freedom—a legacy celebrated at Button Farm each year.
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD
In Sandy Spring, history comes alive at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park. Tour the Woodlawn Manor House to learn about the Palmer family, who lived on and farmed the land for nearly 100 years. The Underground Railroad Experience Trail invites you to walk the same wooded paths freedom seekers once traveled. Guided hikes offered on September 6 reveal survival strategies like navigating by the North Star and finding food in the wilderness.
💡 Did You Know? Sandy Spring was once a Quaker settlement, and many Quakers played a vital role in assisting enslaved people seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Josiah Henson Museum & Park
11410 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, MD
Few stories are as compelling as that of Reverend Josiah Henson, a man enslaved in Montgomery County who escaped to Canada and became a renowned abolitionist, preacher, and author. His life inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. At Josiah Henson Museum & Park, exhibits explore his journey to freedom and his leadership in helping others. Special events this month include History Hour: From Slave Ship to Harvard and Foodie Fridays: Composting.
💡 Did You Know? Josiah Henson not only found freedom himself but also helped establish a thriving community of freedom seekers in Canada that welcomed others escaping slavery.
Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park
3610 Brookeville Road, Olney, MD
Step back in time at Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park, a preserved 19th-century log cabin where African American families lived from emancipation into the 20th century. On September 13 and 27, the cabin opens its doors for tours and an open house, giving visitors a glimpse into the daily lives of roadside African American communities that shaped Montgomery County’s cultural heritage.
💡 Did You Know? Oakley Cabin sits along what was once a bustling community of African American families whose traditions and culture influenced the surrounding region for generations.
Special Events to Experience in September
Guided Hike at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Center – Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am – Hike along trails with a guide and tour of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail.
Tubman Day at Button Farm – Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Free, interactive exploration of Tubman’s story and legacy. Watch educational videos, experience a hands-on history table and listen to speakers.
Oakley Cabin Guided Tours – Saturdays, September 13 & 27, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Go back in time and explore a living history museum, learning about the school life and heritage from the African American community.
History Hour – Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Hear from historians about an African American family who arrived in Maryland on a slave ship and were enslaved for over 40 years.
Foodie Fridays – Friday, September 26, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm – Learn how composting is helping local and regional farmers with speakers at Josiah Henson Museum and Park.
This International Underground Railroad Month, discover Montgomery County’s historic sites, museums, and trails that honor the resilience of freedom seekers. Whether you’re exploring the Josiah Henson Museum & Park, tracing the footsteps of African American heritage at Button Farm, or walking the Underground Railroad Experience Trail, each site offers a powerful connection to the past.
