North Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Archaeology at Josiah Henson Park
Montgomery Parks has conducted archaeological research on this property since 2009 and will continue studies to learn more about the daily lives of those enslaved here and whose experiences are not recorded anywhere else. Reconstructing the plantation landscape of the early 1800s enriches our understanding of how the enslaved community and Riley family used these areas differently.
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A dwelling stood at this location in the 1800s (1). While the above-ground indications are gone, evidence of human activities is buried under the soil (2). Archaeologists found intact postholes and remnants of posts, used to provide support for wooden structures (3).
While obscured by 20th-century changes, elements of the Riley plantation landscape remain within the Park. Identifying these physical spaces allows a better awareness of the human interactions that once took place here.
Archaeologists excavated this area and found features that indicate a wooden structure and rubble from a stone chimney. Artifacts, including plates, cups, smoking pipes, pins, and marbles, suggest that the building was a
this page online
Erected 2021 by Montgomery Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Anthropology & Archaeology. A significant historical year for this entry is 2009.
Location. 39° 2.628′ N, 77° 7.32′ W. Marker is in North Bethesda, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Old Georgetown Road (Maryland Route 187) 0.1 miles south of Tilden Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11420 Old Georgetown Rd, Rockville MD 20852, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Life in the Slave Quarters (here, next to this marker); Agriculture on the Riley Plantation (a few steps from this marker); The Meathouse: A Food Vault (a few steps from this marker); The Riley Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Return to the Riley Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); A Royal Audience (within shouting distance of this marker); Josiah Henson (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving the Riley-Bolten House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Bethesda.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
