"A Town Within A Forest": The Walking Tour of Washington Grove, 1873-Present

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Founded in March of 1878, this church is one of the only visible markers left for the community of Emory Grove which is one of the oldest African American communities in Montgomery County, Maryland. The original church was demolished in 1900 and the current building was completed in 1903 to serve the congregation of the Emory Grove United Methodist Church.

2. The Sacred Circle

Planned out and constructed in 1874, this is Washington Grove’s Sacred Circle. Now it is a place of social gathering and recreation. It had previously been the first gathering place in the camp meetings to worship and listen to the biblical preaching. As you look at this site, walk around or explore on Google images and imagine the efforts that went into preserving a space like this.

3. The Woman's Club

The current Woman’s Club building originally started as an athletic club built in 1909. Through the years, the Girl’s Athletic Association (GAA), the Ladies Guild, and the Women’s Society became the Woman’s Club. The Woman’s Club had one mission: to promote more community spirit and better feelings. They were able to accomplish this in a variety of ways and still do so today!

4. McCathran Hall

Built in 1902, McCathran Hall was originally constructed as the Assembly Hall to hold the growing camp meeting attendees, hold year-round visitors or residents indoors, accommodate the Chautauqua activities (educational programs and secular entertainment), and function as a chapel. However, in 1905, the Chautauqua meetings grew so much that the Washington Grove Camp Meeting Association built the Auditorium (with a capacity of 1,400) in Woodward Park.

5. Emilia (Mimi) Styles’ House

This house is the home of Emilia (Mimi) Style’s, one of Washington Grove’s non-native residents. As you can see, the tree growing through the porch makes this house look extremely unique from the outside! It is unique all around because of the love and care Mimi has put into it.

6. Wooden Street Signs

Have you noticed the wooden street signs throughout your tour? You can see the signs all over Washington Grove! They are a product of Washington Grove’s Volunteer Sign Restoration Project and are yet another piece of Washington Grove history. The first volunteer-made signs went up for the first time in 1937 and the project of restoring these signs has been going strong since 2017.

7. Commercial Corner

Commercial interest in Washington Grove started in 1873 when the first camp meeting took place; wherever people went, other people seeking commercial gain followed! The modern commercial corner of the town has been in the same southwest corner since the latter half of the 1890s. A lot of change and many battles have been fought over the commercial corner but here it stands and here is its story.

8. Washington Grove Conservation Meadow Park

This meadow is a site of great importance for the town of Washington Grove. It is one of the many sites where the town’s Historic Preservation Commission fought to maintain the border of the town against developers in the early 2000s. The existence of this park is part of a long line of conservation work that the citizens of Washington Grove have been a part of since the beginning in 1873. As you walk through the park, read through the context of this site and read the links attached.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

"A Town Within A Forest": The Walking Tour of Washington Grove, 1873-Present

Created by Morgan Miller on April 8th 2020, 8:59:40 pm.

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Description

This walking tour is the product of my Masters Thesis and focuses on the town of Washington Grove, Maryland. This town started in 1873 as the Washington Grove Camp Meeting Association and was incorporated as the town of Washington Grove in 1937. Explore the tour to see highlights on the town's history, conservation and preservation practices, and their past relationships with the African American camp meeting of Emory Grove!

Entries on This Tour

"A Town Within A Forest": The Walking Tour of Washington Grove, 1873-Present

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