Button Farm Living History Center

05/15/2026

comes to the Riverworks Outdoor Stage on Thursday, April 30, from 6-8pm.

Riverworks is proud to host Button Farm Living History Center's Anthony Cohen, a 2,200-pound bronze sculpture of Harriett Tubman by Wesley Wofford, and live music by Jay Summerour and Mark Puryear at a rally to support Cohen’s travel from Maryland to Canada along the path of the Underground Railroad.

“The mission of the walk is to bring attention to what Harriett Tubman stood for as an American,” said Cohen. “Harriett means unwavering courage, liberation, and humanitarianism.”

The event will take place on the grounds of the Old Methodist Church, 17617 W Willard Ave, Poolesville, MD on Thursday, Apr 30, 6:00-8:00pm.

Cohen will speak followed by a live performance of the bluesy sounds of locally-adored harmonica player and vocalist, Jay Summerour, and guitarist and Ethnomusicologist, Mark Puryear. Both have been recorded by Smithsonian Folkways.

Read the full press release, support this mission, and RSVP to the rally on the Riverworks website.

05/15/2026

This. Riverworks Outdoor Stage. Tonight. 6-8pm. Tony Cohen.
photo credit

04/30/2026

“Crossing the River Jordan”

Freedom was a promise whispered on the wind but never written into the soil. For those in chains, it was a river with no map, a hope with no guarantee. To escape was to cross Jordan — not with sandals, but with bloodied feet and broken kin left behind. It was to risk everything for the right to breathe. This chapter does not elevate one myth, but two truths: the woman who returned, and the man who stood. It does not romanticize deliverance. It honors those who knew freedom would cost more than their own lives, and paid it anyway.

This chapter of the book to be called United States of Amnesia contains testimonials from people like Harriet Tubman and the publisher Lovejoy, the abolitionist who stood up for the enslaved. Help get the book published by participating in its Kickstarter campaign at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/logosai/help-publish-the-united-states-of-amnesia?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=United%20States%20of%20amnesia%20&total_hits=2

Chapter 10: Crossing The River Jordan

04/28/2026

The story of a freeman kidnapped into slavery. This is a chapter from a book called United States of Amnesia by Pulitzer and Emmy Award-winner Jonas McCord about forgotten Americans who history has whitewashed and the people who stood by them. Please help get this amazing book of historic testimonials published by participating in its Kickstarter Campaign starting May 13th.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/logosai/help-publish-the-united-states-of-amnesia

Chapter 8: Kidnapping Made Legal

04/09/2026

03/26/2026

WUSA9 interviews Anthony Cohen, historian and Director of Button Farm Living History Center, about his coming walking of the Underground Railroad route from Harriet Tubman Birthplace on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Canada to teach about American History. For more information on how to participate and/or donate go to https://menare.org

https://www.wusa9.com/video/news/local/black-history/local-historian-retracing-harriet-tubmans-steps/65-a197fa6a-ba99-4ff2-83e9-7c8d49e987d5

Tony Cohen is about to embark on a 750-mile journey from Maryland to Canada, retracing the path of the Underground Railroad.

03/11/2026

10/15/2025

Join Us for Maryland Emancipation Day at Button Farm

Saturday October 25, 2025, 12PM to 3PM

THIS EVENT IS FREE!

Join Button Farm as we celebrate our annual Maryland Emancipation Day Event in commemoration of the day in 1864 when Maryland changed its constitution to abolish slavery six months before the end of the Civil War. The program will feature speakers, self-guided tours of the farm’s museum garden and animal pens. Snacks and cider provided!

Special presenters include:

Coming To The Table (12:30-1:15)

“250 Years of Freedom” is the theme for this year’s Emancipation Day celebration and our event will be hosted by facilitators Venetia Bailey and Sally Colella, of Coming to the Table-Montgomery County (CTTT-Moco). Our facilitators will engage guests in a conversation about the upcoming commemoration in 2026 of our nation’s founding,and Montgomery County’s establishmen in 1776, and help envision what our community will look like in the next 250 years.

Jessica Valoris (1:45-2:30)

Local artist and community facilitator, Jessica Valoris, shares the How We Be Free: Black Fugitive Study Kit. The kit honors the liberatory practices of freedom-seeking Black ancestors, and consists of a set of customized playing cards, dice, and an informational booklet. This workshop centers stories of Black resistance, community building, and solidarity.

Participants will engage in storytelling, personal reflection, and found poetry as they consider the powerful legacies and practices of freedom-seeking ancestors.

09/09/2025

Come Celebrate Harriet Tubman Day at Button Farm

Saturday, September 13·12:00 – 3:00pm

Celebrate the remarkable life of Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) who made her first attempt to reach freedom on September 17, 1849.

Tubman not only claimed her own freedom but secured the liberation of others, returning a dozen times to Maryland to lead some seventy friends and family members our of bo***ge.

Founded at Button Farm in 2017, Tubman Day reveals Harriet's achievements through hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. This event is FREE!

Featured Presentations:

Freedom Walk 2026!

Menare founder, Anthony Cohen will kick off our event discussing the upcoming Freedom Walk 2026, a historic walk tracing the UGRR from Maryland to Canada May 4-July 4, 2026. The walk will commemorate the Cohen's 1996 trek on its 30th anniversary next year, and will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation and the founding of Montgomery County, Maryland in 1776. Learn about the route he will travel—including part of Harriet Tubman's network—and discover how you can be part of this landmark event and join Anthony on the road!

Whispers on Freedom

Whispers of Freedom is this year’s theme for Tubman Day. Join Venetia Bailey and Sally Colella, of Coming to the Table-Montgomery County, in this engaging conversation about the meaning of freedom. What does freedom mean to you now, and how do you envision freedom for next 250 years?

Tubman Day Schedule of Activities
12-12:30 Arrival and Orientation

12:30-1:15 Anthony Cohen (Menare Foundation)- Freedom Walk 2026 presentation, Q&A.

1:30-2:15 Venetia Bailey and Sally Colella (Coming to the Table-Moco) "Whispers of Freedom" audience discussion.

12-3:00 Guests Enjoy Concurrent Activities:

Self-Guided Tour of Button Farm
Meet the Button Farm animals
View Harriet Tubman related artifacts and objects
Books and other products available for purchase

08/07/2025

August Freewater Book Club Postponed

The Saturday, August 9, 2025, gathering of the FREEWATER book club at Button Farm, has been postponed. The new date is Saturday, September 13, 2025, and will coincide with our annual Harriet Tubman Event. The author, Amina Luqman-Dawson, will be in attendance and reading selections from her award-winning book. Please check the Button Farm Calendar for additional information.

08/07/2025

2025 BLACK ROCK ROAD COMMUNITY PICNIC

Button Farm Living History Center

WHERE: 16820 Black Rock Road, Germantown, MD

WHEN: Saturday August 9, 2025:3-8PM

ADMISSION: FREE-bring a dish to share, $10 adult, $8 kids without dish

PHONE: Deborah Beckwith 301.674.7028

Join the descendants, family and friends of the Brownstown Community and residents of Black Rock Road for an evening of food and fun at the Button Farm Living History Center. Admission is FREE for everyone who brings a favorite dish to share. If you can’t bring a dish there is an admission fee of $10 for adults and $8 per child (under 18). Food will be served buffet style from 4-7pm.

Historic Brownstown, on Black Rock Road, was settled after emancipation. Descendants of these early families have gathered annually for years, at local homes, to celebrate their shared heritage. The event will feature a history table with photos and objects from the area, focused on the history of Black Rock Rd, Brownstown and the greater Germantown area. We welcome photos, artifacts or stories from your family you wish to share. Button Farm is honored to host this event. Everyone is welcome!