Heritage preservation in Olney, Maryland

Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park is a historic site located at 3610 Brookeville Road in Olney, Maryland, United States. This institution serves as a living history museum, showcasing the African American roadside community that lived and worked on the site from emancipation well into the 20th century. The main attraction is Oakley Cabin, a 1½-story oak and chestnut log cabin that reflects vernacular architecture with dovetail joints and chinked stones. Visitors can step inside the cabin to immerse themselves in the history of the people who lived there, with artifacts on display and a boxed staircase leading to the upper loft. The park surrounding Oakley Cabin features a trail that leads to the site of Newlin's Mill, passing stone quarries and showcasing local wildlife. The history of Oakley Farm, once owned by Revolutionary War hero Colonel Richard Brooke, is also highlighted, with stories of the Dorsey family and the slaves who worked on the farm. Tours at Oakley Cabin are provided by volunteer docents who share the rich history of the site and the surrounding area of Brookeville and Montgomery County.