WATCH

History Conversations
Enjoy our History Conversations, a program featuring periodic virtual lectures from our talented corps of speakers covering a wide variety of local history topics. Each lecture is live-streamed via Zoom and Facebook and then posted here for a week (below).

Upcoming Lectures:

History Conversations REWIND
“Grit and Gusto: Farmerettes and Suffragettes on the Homefront in WWI”
with Judith Welles
Originally presented at the 2019 Montgomery County History Conference
Premieres Monday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. here on our website

Kick off Women’s History Month with “Farmerettes and Suffragettes!”

As men left to fight in WWI, rural areas like Montgomery County suffered severe labor shortages. At the same time, the U.S. became the main food source not only for those on the home front and American soldiers aboard, but also for the people of Europe on the brink of starvation. Farm work became a patriotic crusade for women, and suffragettes inspired a new kind of farm worker: the farmerette. Join Judy Welles as she highlights how women in Maryland rallied to new involvement and activism during 1917-1918.

There is no registration link for this talk. The REWIND will premiere on our website at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 1 and be available to watch through Sunday, March 7:

“Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools: A Force for Change”
with Stephanie Deutsch and Dorothy Canter
Tuesday, March 9 @ 2:00 p.m.
 
Stephanie Deutsch and Dorothy Canter will discuss the life of Julius Rosenwald, an innovative and visionary philanthropist, and plans to conserve his legacy with the creation of the Julius Rosenwald & Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park. They will highlight the schools for African American children that he helped fund throughout the South with particular emphasis on the schools that were built in Maryland.

Click here to register!

“Civil War Trails: Not Just for History Buffs”
with Drew Gruber
Tuesday, March 16 @ 2:00 p.m.
 
Civil War Trails isn’t just for history buffs. Join Drew Gruber, Executive Director of Civil War Trails to hear about this multi-state program and the incredible resource it is for regional residents and how they are continually updating the program to compliment their younger, more diverse audience. With over 1,350 sites across six states there is always something new or exciting to see when you explore our open air museum.

Click here to register!

History Conversations REWIND
“Clara Barton at Antietam”
with Susan Rosenvold
Originally presented September 3, 2020
Premieres Monday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m. here on our website

Discover Clara Barton’s first foray on the field of battle, from the meeting that gained her permission to take supplies to and travel with the Army through Maryland, to her experiences at the Battle of Antietam and her return to Washington D.C. Despite the horrors and challenges she faced, it solidified her determination to become a dedicated humanitarian and led to the establishment of the American Red Cross.

There is no registration link for this talk. The REWIND will premiere on our website at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 22 and be available to watch through Sunday, March 28.

“Sanctified Sisters of Colesville:  The Hidden History of Commonwealth Farm”
with Julianne Mangin 
Tuesday, March 30 @ 2:00 p.m.

Learn the hidden history behind a feminist commune that ran Commonwealth Farm Inn in Colesville from 1903-1947. These savvy business women ran an inn and restaurant that was a popular country retreat for Washingtonians. How did they end up in Montgomery County, and why was their presence forgotten? It’s a fascinating story of women determined to control their own spiritual and economic destinies.

Registration coming soon!

Recent Lecture(s):

“Carousel Civil Rights Story” with Ilana Trachtman and Glen Echo Park

History Conferences
Our annual history conference has brought together historians, students, teachers, residents, and lifelong learners since 2007. With such a wide breadth of topics covered, you’re sure to find something that suits your interests. We’ll be rotating out different videos to feature, but you can also find links to all the past videos on our History Conference page.

Featured Video:
“By Hands of Parties Unknown: Remembrance and Reconciliation of Three Lynchings in Montgomery County” 
Speaker: Anthony Cohen

Paths to the Present
Paths to the Present: Montgomery County Stories, a cable television show created by County Cable Montgomery and Montgomery History from 2000-2014, explores the often overlooked history found right in our own backyards. Produced by Emmy-winner Barbara Grunbaum and hosted by Gail Street, Paths to the Present covers a wide variety of topics highlighting this county’s past. You can watch all 86 of the episodes here.