The 2024 Montgomery County History Conference is set for Saturday, Oct. 19 at Montgomery College’s Rockville Campus. The event promises a full day of activities for history enthusiasts.
Author Scott Shane will deliver the keynote address, focusing on the life and legacy of Thomas Smallwood. Smallwood, a local man who escaped slavery, organized mass escapes through the Underground Railroad—a term he coined.
Attendees can choose from nine breakout sessions covering a range of topics, including the Horad family’s fight for fair housing, Latvian immigration, and Josiah Henson’s life. Other sessions will explore 50 years of Peerless Rockville and the Historic Medley District, mid-century religious architecture, the history of Hip Hop, Bethesda Big Train Baseball, and indigenous archaeological research.
The event will also screen the documentary Ten Days in September 1956, which tells the story of Poolesville High School’s integration. A panel discussion will follow.
The day will end with a reception.
Students can attend at a discounted rate by emailing proof of student status to MGagle@MontgomeryHistory.org. Scholarship opportunities are available for those who need financial assistance. The venue is ADA-compliant and attendees with additional accessibility needs should contact Matt Gagle at MGagle@MontgomeryHistory.org.
For more details and a full schedule, visit Montgomery History’s website.
