On February 26th, I revisited the Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park with my friend and hiking bubby Angel. Several years ago, in 2019, I visited his area and explored parts of the Underground Railroad trail and the manor. It was the 16th edition of the On Location Series, and the trek was during the warmer months of the year. Towards the conclusion of June, I believe. To read that post, please go here (https://kgbethlehem.blog/2019/06/30/on-location-series-16-woodlawn-park-underground-railroad-bit-of-history/) to get a summary of the previous visit.
But, this time, I explored further among the trail. It was Angel’s idea and a fantastic one at that. We found an old bridge during the hike. Discovered a sitting place called “Sandy Spring” where in the past, supplied fresh water to the inhabitants and passersby. The spring was nonexistent now, but its remains became more of a memorial and sitting grounds. We kept moving through the trail and saw old houses belonging to a Quakers area settlement.
Consequently, this area is the township of Sandy Spring, Maryland. These Quakers gave freed enslaved folks land as some atonement, even though the land was less desirable than theirs. The given land was on hilly ground, making it challenging for farming. Black folks still made it work and settled the land for many years. Sandy Spring was one of the first African American neighborhoods in the old country and held generations of black families.
This leads me to the next part of the journey—The Sandy Spring Slave Museum. This museum was created and sustained by the African Art Gallery, Incorporated. It was a splendid, powerful, triggering, enlightening locale that everyone, not just African Americans— must see.
The museum spoke about past and current African American trailblazers and the local ancestors who did great work for the area and beyond. It housed not just art but video and papers of history, which are physical exhibitions that are thought-provoking and timeless. Exhibits such as:
*The Middle Passage
*The Arts Pavilion
*The Log Cabin
*The Great Hall
*African-American Trail
*Door of No Return
I employ everyone to visit this place if you are in the area. Pictures and videos are at your viewing, and for more information, please visit:
www.SandySpringSlaveMuseum.org
Well, that concludes another On Location, and thanks again for taking the time to walk through this journey with me. It was a brief hike but immensely informative. Also, look for other On Locations as friends, and I will explore part of Virginia, West Virginia, and maybe further out!
**** Before I forget, a bonus, we additionally explored the local region—Brighton Azalea Garden, located in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Established in 1962, this land house many distinctive plant life from the area. Rather than me explaining this—view the pictures for yourself below…
KG Bethlehem 