MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

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FREEDMAN'S STATE PARK

Park Status Information

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Highlights

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Contact: 443-962-0216​
​ Fees and Hours of Operation
​ Park Passes
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Freedman’s State Park
23222 Georgia Ave, ​
Brookeville, MD, 20833

View the DNR Ev​ents Ca​lendar ​

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
(closed Christmas Day)​​
Alf Brown House Visitor Center:
Open by Appointment Only
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Welcome!

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​​A new 1,000-acre park, Freedman’s State Park tells the story of a​n African American family that overcame enslavement to become a prosperous and influential family in northern Montgomery County. Their descendants helped shape the Civil Rights Movement in Maryland, leading the struggle to create a more just and equitable society. Previously a part of the 6,700-acre Patuxent River State Park, Freedman’s encompasses land once owned and farmed by Enoch George and Harriet Howard, and their descendants. This park tells their story. Freedman’s State Park is being planned and developed in partnership with Preservation Maryland, the Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring Slave Museum, Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Afro Charities, and the Maryland Historical Trust. Visitors are welcome to explore the Howard Chapel Cemetery, walk the park trails, and visit the Greenbury Howard House, Howard Family Cemetery, and view the ruins of Locust Villa. ​

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Details about the Park​

Information and Service Charges

 

​​Location:
Montgomery County near the town of Sunshine

Freedman’s State Park 23222 Georgia Ave,
Brookeville, MD, 20833

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Contact:
​443-962-0216​​​

Hours of Operation:
​Sunrise to sunset (closed Christmas Day)

Alf Brown House Visitor Center:
Open by appointment only

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A Park Under Development
Freedman’s State Park is being planned and developed in partnership with Preservation Maryland, the Sandy Spring Museum, Sandy Spring Slave Museum, Montgomery Parks, Afro Charities, and the Maryland Historical Trust.

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Visiting the Park Today
Visitors are welcome to explore the Howard Chapel Cemetery, walk the park trails, and visit the Greenbury Howard House, Howard Family Cemetery, and view the ruins of Locust Villa. Start your visit at Freedman’s by visiting the Alf Brown House parking lot, located at:

23222 Georgia Ave, Brookeville, MD, 20833​

There are no ADA accessible sites at Freedman’s State Park. Those with disabilities or special needs are encouraged to make arrangements by contacting the park in advance.

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Service Charges:
None

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Hunting Policy

Hunting is permitted west of Howard Chapel Road. Please Patuxent River State Park’s hunting webpage for more information https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/PatuxentRiver/Hunting.aspx​


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Pet​ Policy

​Pets on a leash are welcome.



Directions

 

Taking I-70 west from Baltimore. Take Exit 76, or Route 97 south, and continue south to the point where Route 97 crosses the Patuxent River.  The Alf Brown House parking lot is on the right at 23222 Georgia Ave, Brookeville, MD, 20833​​

Park Map

Hiking and Bicyling

 
More information coming soon.​

Alf Brown House Visitor Center

 
​​​More information coming soon.​​

Hunting

 

More information coming soon.​

Volunteer Opportunities

 
More information coming soon.​

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Visiting The Howard Family Farm Site

The Howard Family Farm site is in an undeveloped area, and is only accessible by foot, or by vehicle upon special request. The family farm’s main house, Locust Villa, is in ruins. However, the house of Greenbury Howard, Enoch George’s son, still stands. It is in the process of being restored and can be viewed from the grounds. The house was built around 1870, and its appearance mimicked Locust Villa. Greenbury Howard lived here until his passing in 1926. The Howard family used the house for gatherings and reunions until they sold the property in 1960.

The family cemetery is intact and has been restored. Both Enoch George Howard, his wife Harriet, and seven of their descendants, are interred here. To reach this area by car ​from the Alf Brown House parking lot, turn RIGHT onto Maryland State Route #97 (Georgia Avenue) for 1 mile, turn RIGHT on and follow Damascus Road (Route #650) for 1 mile, turn RIGHT on and following Howard Chapel Road for 1 mile, and turn LEFT onto the Elton Farm Road. Follow Elton Farm Road for 1 mile until it dead ends in the parking lot. Follow the nature trail for about 1 mile to Greenbury Howard House (see map).

Elton Farm Road passes through private property. Please respect private property and do not trespass.

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​​Visiting The ​Howard Chapel Cemetery​

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The cemetery included a church, built in 1889. Served by a circuit minister from the Washington Negro Conference, the chapel served the rural Black community from 1889 to 1930. It was destroyed by fire in 1979. The church foundations are visible. The cemetery began burials in 1901.

From the Alf Brown House parking lot, turn RIGHT on Maryland State Route #97 (Georgia Avenue) for 1 mile, turn RIGHT on and follow Damascus Road (Route #650) for 1 mile, and turn RIGHT on and follow Howard Chapel Road for 1 mile. The cemetery site is on the left, just past Elton Farm Road.