MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND

Montgomery County History
Speaker's Bureau Topics

MONTGOMERY COUNTY TOWNS, PEOPLE & PLACES

An Introduction to Montgomery County History

Speaker: William Offutt

Bethesda and Chevy Chase

Speaker: William Offutt

Scandals and Mysteries of Chevy Chase

Speaker: William Offutt

The History of Gaithersburg, Maryland

Speaker: Judith Christensen

The History of Germantown, Maryland

F. Scott Fitzgerald's Rockville: Rockville in the 1920's
Speaker: Eileen McGuckian
A look at the small town America's favorite writer knew in the 1920's, with an explanation of how F. Scott Fitzgerald came to be buried in Rockville --twice!

The History of Rockville Pike: A 300 Year Journey

Speaker: Eileen McGuckian

Using historic and contemporary photographs, local historian Eileen McGuckian presents a tour of the Rockville Pike from its beginnings as a Native American path to the "Golden Mile".

Rockville, Maryland: 250 Years of History

Speaker: Eileen McGuckian

Rockville's Victorian Heritage

Speaker: Judith Christensen

Stories from Rockville’s Underground Railroad

Speaker: Maude McGovern

Hear about Josiah Henson (the model for the title character of Uncle Tom’s Cabin) who risked all for freedom.  Find out about the young Ann Maria Weems who escaped slavery in Rockville dressed as a coachman and whose story vividly illustrates the twists and turns of ongoing research on the Underground Railroad.  Learn about two sisters from a prominent Rockville family who exemplify the differences between slaveholders. 

The Loughboro Family of Montgomery County

Speaker: James Johnston

Montgomery's County Prehistory:
A 12,000 Year Story
Speaker: Heather Bouslog

Montgomery County Gold Mine History

Speaker: Walter Goetz

The author of Montgomery County Gold Fever and Maryland Gold Fever talks about the history of gold mining in the county.

Archaeological Sites in Montgomery County, Maryland

Speaker: Don Housley

The Metropolitan Branch of the B&O Railroad

Speaker: Susan Soderberg

MONTGOMERY COUNTY AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY

Josiah Henson & Uncle Tom's Cabin

Speaker: Judith Christensen

The Man in the Knit Cap: Yarrow Mamout

James Johnston

The Underground Railroad: Local History

Speaker: Susan Soderberg

Local Slave History

Speaker: Susan Soderberg

MONTGOMERY COUNTY & THE CIVIL WAR

The Civil War in Maryland
Speaker: Susan Soderberg

Civil War Monuments in Maryland
Speaker: Susan Soderberg

The Civil War in Montgomery County

Speaker: Susan Soderberg

A Field Guide to Civil War Statues in Washington

Speaker: James Johnston

The Man Who (Almost) Conquered Washington: Gen. John McCausland

Speaker: James Johnston

A Tour of Downcounty Civil War Sites

Speaker: William Offutt
This lecture examines the impact of the war on Montgomery County and those who fought and suffered through it. Local civil war sites covered include slides of forts in the Northwest Washington D.C. area.

The Civil War Camps at Muddy Branch and the Outpost Camp and Blockhouse at Blockhouse Point

Speaker: Don Housley

Dr. Edward Stonestreet: Physician and Civil War Surgeon, Rockville, Maryland

Speaker: Clarence Hickey

GREATER WASHINGTON

The Burning of Washington
Speaker: Anthony S. Pitch
In the summer of 1814 British troops captured Washington DC and burned the White House and Capitol. Anthony S. Pitch highlights eyewitness accounts of this humiliating drama, perhaps the lowest point in American history. The tables were turned three weeks later when defenders heroically repulsed the same British forces attacking Fort McHenry, inspiring eyewitness Francis Scott Key to write a poem that became the national anthem. Pitch concludes the narrative with Andrew Jackson's epic victory over the British At New Orleans.The Burning of Washington: The British Invasion of 1814 is a History Book Club selection, with movie rights optioned by National Geographic.

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Speaker: Anthony S. Pitch
Anthony S. Pitch is into the fourth year of researching and writing his latest book,"They Have Killed Papa Dead!" - The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The award-winning author has unearthed new material in his relentless search for diaries, letters, journals and other original documents in private hands and in widely scattered archival repositories. He plans to convey the human drama of a story he believes to be the saddest in American history.

An Anecdotal Look at Capitol Hill

Speaker: Anthony S. Pitch

An amusing, informative and sometimes surprising look at the shenanigans of our elected officials on Capitol Hill as well as anecdotes about their immediate surroundings - the Supreme Court and Library of Congress.

William Marbury: The Man Whose Lawsuit Made The Supreme Court, Supreme

Speaker: James Johnston

GENEALOGY

Genealogy: What's It All About
Speaker: Lorraine Minor

Genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies in the U.S. today. This talk explains why so many people are searching their family histories and provides a brief description of how to get started.

Beginning Census Research:
An Introduction to the U.S. Census Records & Indexing System
Speaker: Lorraine Minor
The U.S. Census was taken every ten years, starting in 1790. Discover what information is available in the U.S. Census, how to access census data and utilize that data in furthering family history research.

Genealogy on the Internet
Speaker: Lorraine Minor
Resources on the Internet can greatly enhance and those researching their family histories. Learn about the most popular internet sites, how to find other valuable sites and how to evaluate the information found.

Organizing Research Papers
Speaker: Lorraine Minor
This talk provides suggestions for organizing all the papers accumulated in doing family research including filing and indexing systems, research calendars and planning for future research.

Planning a Research Trip
Speaker: Lorraine Minor

Traveling to one's family home for research is expensive and time consuming. Learn what research to do before you travel, what to take with you, and about resources at your destination.

Records at the LDS Family History Center
Speaker: Lorraine Minor
The Mormons have assembled a wealth of information that is invaluable to people researching their families. This talk discusses the databases and other resourcesavailable at the Family History Center and how to access them.

REENACTORS

A 50 Year Medical Practice in the 19th Century:
Dr. Edward Stonestreet of Rockville
Reenactor: Clarence Hickey
This first-person portrayal looks at the life of Dr. Edward Elisha Stonestreet who served in Montgomery County from 1852 to1903 during the dawn of modern medicine. This period was marked by significant advances in surgical techniques, the use of anesthesia & pain management, the germ theory of disease and the clinical training of physicians. Dr. Stonestreet is noted for his care of wounded solders during the Civil War and as a founder of the Montgomery County Medical Society.

Songs & Stories from the Blue & the Gray
Reenactor: Patrick Lacefield

Join this descendant of Civil War veterans who shares songs and stories from the War Between the States, wearing both blue and gray, accompanying himself on guitar.

Family Life After the Star Spangled Banner
Reenactor: Mary Lou Luff
Mrs. Upton Beall, in federal clothing, shows artifacts of the early 19th century. She discusses fashion, money, social activities, and training household help.

Home Remedies 1800 to 1865
Reenactor: Mary Lou Luff
Mrs. Stonestreet, mother of a Rockville doctor, shares medical advice and home recipes using samples of salves, cough syrup, insect repellants and artifacts of the 19th century. The program concludes with a discussion of her historical costume.

A Civil War Christmas at Home
Reenactor: Mary Lou Luff
Mrs. Stonestreet attired in civil war clothing, shows small antique items that will be Christmas gifts for her family. Holiday customs and food are discussed.