County Library System Celebrates Black History Month Virtually

SILVER SPRING, MD — February is Black History Month. And Montgomery County Public Libraries will be celebrating with special virtual programs.

"MCPL is proud to offer this selection of programs in honor of the achievements, culture, and history of Black Americans," said Anita Vassallo, director of the county's library system.

The schedule of events can be found below:

The Reported Lynchings in Montgomery County

Feb. 2, 2 p.m. and Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m

Description: There are three documented cases of lynching in Montgomery County: George Peck, John Diggs-Dorsey, and Sidney Randolph. Researcher Sarah Hedlund presents comprehensive narratives on these three cases.

Historical Perspectives on Slavery in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Feb. 13, 2 p.m.

Description: James H. Johnston from Montgomery History discusses how slavery in the Washington D.C. area evolved differently from other areas, due to the crops being grown, and the diverse nature of Washington DC.

Separate but Unequal - History of School Segregation in Montgomery County

Feb. 17, 12:30 p.m.

Lecture by the Montgomery History on the history of segregation in public schools.

George Crum, a Potato Chip STEM Challenge

Feb. 22, 3:30 p.m.

Description: Learn about the man who invented one of America's favorite snack foods and join us for a potato chip themed STEM challenge! Elementary school age.

From Slave Ship to Harvard, Yarrow Mamout and the History of an African American Family

Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m.

Description: Yarrow Mamout was a Fulani Muslim who came to Maryland on a slave ship in 1752. Jim Johnston’s book follows later generations of the family through Robert Turner Ford, who graduated from Harvard in 1923.

No Pressure! Social Justice Discussion Group

Feb. 28, 2 p.m.

Description: Each month, participants will meet to discuss social justice and how we can make a difference in the world today. This discussion is for fourth to eighth-grade students with an adult.

For more information about MCPL programs, click here.