The Montgomery County History Conference returns October 19 at Montgomery College’s Rockville Campus in the Parilla Performing Arts Center. The conference offers myriad opportunities to engage with local history, including a keynote address, nine breakouts, a boxed lunch, a documentary screening, and a happy hour reception.

This year’s keynote session will detail the life of Thomas Smallwood, a local man born into slavery and who purchased his own freedom. Smallwood organized mass escapes from slavery by the wagonload, and first penned the phrase “Underground Railroad.” Author Scott Shane will explore the incredible life’s work of Thomas Smallwood and his lasting legacy.

Breakout sessions will cover such wide-ranging topics as the groundbreaking story of Romeo and Elsie Horad, Latvian immigration and freedom in the 1990s, the legendary life of Josiah Henson, a celebration of the fifty years of the tireless work done by Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, the stunning designs of Montgomery County’s mid-century religious architecture, a history of Hip Hop, Bethesda Big Train Baseball’s first quarter century, a commemoration of the History Medley District, and a discussion of the archeology of the Emory Church property.

The conference will close with a documentary screening of Ten Days in September 1956, a film detailing the integration of Poolesville High School as told by those who lived it. This screening will close with a panel discussion by several participants in the film.

As always, guests are invited to attend our closing reception at the conclusion of the conference.

Students can attend at a discounted rate by emailing proof of student status to [email protected], and scholarship opportunities are available for those who need financial assistance. The conference venue is ADA-compliant, and attendees with additional accessibility needs can reach out to Matt Gagle at [email protected].