Residents said they want interactive elements, such as costumed interpreters and hands-on exhibits, at the Josiah Henson Site, formerly known as the Riley Farm or Uncle Tom's Cabin, now being adapted into a museum.

"If you live in Montgomery County, this is your heritage," Brian Woodward, a division chief for the Montgomery County Department of Parks, said at a June 15 meeting at Tilden Middle School. "You have a direct connection to what happened on Riley's Farm."

The Bethesda site and much of the neighboring Luxmanor community was once a plantation where the Rev. Josiah Henson lived and worked as a slave from 1795 to 1830. Henson's autobiographies were the basis for Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous work, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The book, published in 1852, inspired the movement against slavery in the United States.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, which acquired the Old Georgetown Road site for $1 million in 2006, is creating guidelines for the sites' adaptation into a museum that could open by 2012.

Residents said they wanted the museum to separate "the man from the myth" and explain the difference between Stowe's character "Uncle Tom" and Henson as a historic figure.

Devonshire East resident Stephanie Gerstenblith said she wants the museum to connect children with the history of their community.

"I think it's good for kids who live in the community — do they realize they live on a former plantation, and what that means and how things have changed?"

Henson's autobiographies detail his life as a slave on the farm, which was owned by Isaac Riley. In 1830, Henson escaped to Canada and returned to the U.S. several times, shuttling slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad. The site features a historic house that was once the home of Riley and part of the plantation.

Some Luxmanor residents raised concerns about visitors crossing Old Georgetown Road to access the site. "It's dangerous, and people go really fast," said Renee Sklarew. "I don't want anybody getting killed on the way over." Residents suggested an overpass, islands and longer crossing times for intersections with signals.

In developing the museum, Woodward said that planners hoped to involve the county's black and historic preservation communities and neighbors to ensure Henson's story is told accurately and the museum blends with the residential community. They also hope to coordinate the site alongside plans for the nearby White Flint area, which is expected to transform into a walkable, transit-oriented development corridor.

Based on the community's input, park staff will draft a concept plan that residents can comment on next month. The county Planning Board is expected to review the draft in the fall before voting on the park development guidelines in November. Following the adoption of the guidelines, residents can again give input during the facility planning process.