NEW! Transportation Tour

Transportation has shaped Montgomery County’s history from Native American settlement to today’s suburbs. As modes of transportation changed, from canoe to horse to trains to cars, so did the routes, and the places and ways that people lived.\

The county’s size and geography has presented transportation challenges and inspired many innovations. Among the many sites to explore are the C&O Canal, the B&O Railroad stations, ruins of the old mills, and trails that follow long-forgotten roads. You can explore these sites by foot, bicycle, car, and some by boat.

Rivers, Roads, and Rails: Transportation Tour

NEW! African American Heritage Tour

The history of African Americans in Montgomery County dates back to the late 1600s. But it was after the Civil War and emancipation in 1864 that the county saw more widespread establishment of free Black communities. Today, their legacy can be seen in the remains of houses and churches, schools, mills, fields, and waterways – places where people lived, worked, and prayed, fished, farmed, and raised families.

This self-guided tour offers stories of home and community life as well as the experiences of African Americans during times of restriction and segregation. The sites are organized geographically rather than in the chronological order of their histories.

While there are many significant Black history sites in the county, in this tour we are focusing on those in the western part of the county that are open to the public or visible from the road. Most have limited hours, so please check the websites provided before you visit. And be sure to follow all site, local, and State Covid-19 protocols.

African American Heritage Self-Guided Tour

Agricultural Reserve Driving Tour

Plan a day trip to explore rural Montgomery County using Heritage Montgomery’s driving tour of the Agricultural Reserve as the perfect guide.

The 60-minute video, the Montgomery Rural Heritage Byway Tour, is divided into five chapters, each showcasing a section of rural Montgomery County.  Stories are presented through narrative, visual materials (photos, drawings, and written materials of the period) and music. The 61-mile scenic tour takes you along many of the county’s rural and rustic roads and along the C&O Canal.  Activities relating to the Civil War figure prominently in many chapters. Historic images, coupled with contemporary shots, allow you to stand in the landscape today and imagine life long ago from the same vantage point.

You can purchase a copy of the video from the HM gift shop to watch on your DVD player and take an armchair tour!

To read the Ag Reserve Driving Tour brochure, click here.

Farms & Gardens of the Agricultural Reserve

Alden Farms
19215 Beallsville Road, Beallsville
(301-367-3879)
Two acres of gardens on a Victorian homestead featuring original stone sculptures.
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Button Farm Living History Center
16820 Black Rock Road, Germantown
(202) 903-4140
A living history center depicting plantation life in the 1850s, including heritage livestock, museum garden, and bee hives. Special group tours can be arranged; please call for more information.
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Common Root Farm
18021 Bowie Mill Road, Derwood
(301) 788-4397
A small-scale vegetable farm using regenerative, ecologically sound farming techniques. Contact in advance to arrange a tour.
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Rocklands Farm and Winery
14531 Montevideo Road, Poolesville
(301) 825-8075
Winery, vineyard, holistic farming, and market on an historical property in the Agricultural Reserve. An historic farm property: stroll through gardens, see grazing livestock, all with beautiful vineyard views. Handcrafted wine/tastings, farm market with grass-fed beef and lamb and more.
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Soleado Lavender Farm
23611 W. Harris Road, Dickerson
(301) 922-5964
A scenic, family-owned farm growing several varieties of French and English lavender. Soleado Lavender Farm is open on weekends in May – July, closed during August, open again September –the first weekend in November. All dates are weather dependent, please check the website or call before you visit for weather related updates. There is a small fee.
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Themed Tours

The Underground Railroad: Rockville People and Places
This brochure from Peerless Rockville highlights stories of the Underground Railroad in the Rockville area.
UGRR Brochure

Sugarloaf Regional Trails
Visit the Sugarloaf Regional Trails website for themed walking, biking, driving, and canoeing tours throughout the region.
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Tour Montgomery County Gardens

You will be amazed at the wide array of gardens you can tour throughout the county. Choose a selection of sites from those listed below and enjoy a day of natural beauty!

Agricultural Farm History Park
18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855
(301) 467-8273
Email: mike.jones@montgomeryparks.org
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Beall-Dawson Historical Park
103 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 762-1492
email: info@montgomeryhistory.org
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Brighton Dam Azalea Gardens
2 Brighton Dam Road, Brookeville, MD 20833
(301) 206-7485
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Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 962-1400; fax: (301) 962-7878
e-mail: ellen.hartranft@montgomeryparks.org
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Glenview Mansion Formal Gardens
Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmondston Drive, Rockville, MD 20851
(240) 314-8660; fax: (240) 314-8669
e-mail: glenview@rockvillemd.gov
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McCrillis Gardens & Gallery
6910 Greentree Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 962-1455
e-mail: jeff.devlin@montgomeryparks.org
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Meadowside Nature Center Habitat Garden
5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855 – 1812
(301) 258-4030
e-mail: meadowside@montgomeryparks.org
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Montgomery County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden
(at the Agricultural History Farm Park)
18410 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD 20855
(301) 590-9650
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Perkins Memorial Azalea Garden
The Landon School, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 320-3200
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Rockville 9/11 Memorial Park
Corner of Route 28 and Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850

Schwartz Peony Garden at Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 924-2127
email: senecacreek.statepark@maryland.gov
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Woodend Mansion Garden
Audubon Naturalist Society
8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 – 4799
(301) 652-9188; fax: (301) 951-7179
e-mail: contact@anshoe.org
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Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860
(301) 929-5989
email: mcp-woodlawnprograms@montgomeryparks.org
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