Events
What a Beautiful Day for a Cemetery Clean-Up!
Thank You to Our Dedicated Volunteers!
Saturday, November 16
Volunteer participation is critical to the success of this clean-up day and the ongoing efforts to preserve and protect this important historical site.
Friends of Moses Hall’s Descendant Reunion 2024
August 24, 2024
The Friends of Moses Hall recently hosted a heartwarming reunion for the descendants of Morningstar Tabernacle No. 88 of the Ancient United Order of Sons & Daughters, Brothers & Sisters of Moses in Cabin John, Maryland. The gathering welcomed descendants of all ages for a delicious potluck, where they shared cherished family stories, historical artifacts, and memories. Lively discussions centered on the ongoing efforts to preserve and restore the historic Morningstar Moses Cemetery and Hall, a vital part of the Gibson Grove community’s heritage. Among those in attendance were multiple generations of descendants from the White, Stewart, and Coates families, all united by a deep connection to their ancestors and the rich history of Morningstar No. 88.
If you believe you may be a descendant of Morningstar Tabernacle No. 88 and/or the historic Gibson Grove/No. 10 community of Cabin John, please contact us at morningstarmosescj@gmail.com.
Pictured: Four Generations of Morningstar No. 88 descendants of James and Annie Coates.
Descendant Reunion 2024 Highlights
Photo Credit: Tina Prather
Friends of Moses Hall proudly participated in the annual
Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival
June 19, 2024
We were thrilled to be there to support and celebrate the historic Black communities of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Spring Cleaning!
On June 8, we enjoyed beautiful weather and enthusiastic support from dedicated volunteers during our cemetery clean-up event.
Maintaining the Morningstar site by clearing debris and controlling vegetation overgrowth is essential for protecting the cemetery’s features and the remains of Moses Hall. This ongoing effort also facilitates survey and other field work at the site.
Our Fall Clean-Up Day was a Success!
Thank you to all the volunteers who came out for our Fall community clean-up day!
More than 20 volunteers came out for our Fall 2022 clean-up day.
Pictured here are members of four generations of Morningstar Tabernacle No. 88 descendants, Friends of Moses Hall members, and community volunteers.
Photo courtesy of Paula Posas
THANK YOU TO THE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAY ON NOVEMBER 5!
Maintenance is always a cemetery concern. More than a century ago the Morningstar Minutes Book notes cleanups of the Morningstar Moses Cemetery and Hall site.
For example, back in 1904 Brother Silas Richards repaired the Hall road and cut down bushes on the property; Brother Charles Harris cleaned up the hall grounds in 1910.
Community participation was critical to the success of this clean-up day and the ongoing efforts to preserve and protect this important historical site.
While this fragile site is currently closed to the public for ongoing field investigations and restoration work, private site tours can be arranged in advance by email to: morningstarmosescj@gmail.com