Hometown Treasures: Capital Region

Hometown Treasures: Capital Region is a free community event organized by the National Museum of African American History and Culture in collaboration with Glenstone Museum and the Juneteenth Scotland Foundation. It offers families a chance to bring their heirlooms and treasured items for professional review by preservation specialists, who will provide insight into the historical significance of each piece and practical guidance on how to care for it so it can be passed down to future generations. The event also includes a Community Expo that explores the living history of Scotland, Maryland—an African American community founded in 1880 by formerly enslaved farm worker William Dove—featuring local cultural and heritage organizations, preservation workshops, oral history training, interactive art and quilting demonstrations, and guided tours of the historic Scotland AME Zion Church.

When: September 18–19, 2026. The featured program and Community Expo are scheduled for Saturday, September 19.

Showtimes: Saturday, September 19, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Tickets: Free. No registration is required for the Community Expo. One-on-one preservation sessions require advance booking (details provided on the event page).

Lineup: Presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, co-sponsored by Glenstone Museum and the Juneteenth Scotland Foundation.

Run time: Approximately 6 hours (11:00am – 5:00pm).

Ages: Open to all ages.

Venue: Bette Carol Thompson Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Center, 770 Scotland Drive, Potomac, MD 20854.

Note: Attendees may bring up to three items for review—examples include photographs, letters, books, quilts, uniforms, dresses, textiles, ephemera, military memorabilia, family records, and other cherished keepsakes. The Community Expo is free and open to all without registration.