Bethesda Historical Society

06/12/2026

Come tour the historic Bethesda Meeting House, "the church that named Bethesda," this Sunday, June 14, 1 - 4 pm, 9400 Rockville Pike. Parking is available. We're also doing clean-up work inside and outside if you want to help us in our efforts to preserve the property for the community. Hope to see you Sunday!

06/12/2025

BHS has a new office, and our FY2025 SHINE grant is helping us make it productive and beautiful! We are now located at 4300 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 104, Bethesda 20814 - office hours by appointment. Contact us through our website, BethesdaHistoricalSociety.org if you would like to visit us. Thank you Maryland Humanities for all your support!

08/25/2024

It's today - the Bethesda Metro Station Celebration! It was 40 years ago today that the Bethesda Metro Station and four other Red Line Stations opened on August 25, 1984. Join us today at noon on the Bethesda Metro Station Plaza!

08/19/2024

We are celebrating this Sunday! Our Bethesda Metro Station is turning 40! Join us noon - 2:00 p.m. on the Bethesda Metro Station Plaza for Bethesda history exhibits and more!

06/13/2024

Join the Bethesda Historical Society on Wednesday, June 19th, 1:30 pm, for a lecture on the history and current restoration efforts of the historic Bethesda Meeting House, “the church that named Bethesda.”

Hank Levine, President of the Bethesda Meeting House Foundation, will be speaking at the Annual Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival about the Meeting House, which is listed in both the National Register of Historic Places and the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation. Details of the event are available at

https://www.juneteenthscotland.org/history-lectures

04/24/2024

Did you know that by purchasing native plants, you can make a significant impact on our community's biodiversity AND help restore Bethesda Meeting House at the same time? We are hosting a unique fundraiser that not only beautifies your surroundings but also helps us achieve our goals!
Every purchase you make using our unique sales link helps us to restore our historic Bethesda Meeting House. Please visit https://fundraising.gardenforwildlife.com/p43EXs and make an impact for our organization, our communities and our planet!

03/11/2024

THIS THURSDAY March 14 at 7:00PM

Hank Levine, president of the Bethesda Meeting House Foundation, will present an illustrated tour of the iconic building’s history, architecture and significance.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6k91BNPkR16qBMfafGoq9w #/registration

01/30/2024

Bethesda Historical Society is delighted to announce that we are a recipient of the Maryland Humanities Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE grant. This generous $10,000 award will support the everyday work of the society to collect, preserve, and share Bethesda’s rich history. Thank you Maryland Humanities!

https://www.mdhumanities.org/grants/

01/23/2024

Check out these upcoming classes taught by our very own Hank Levine on Bethesda history! Classes are available online and in-person.

https://washington-metro.oasiseverywhere.org/?_presentershortname=Levine,%20Hank

If you need assistance with registration, please call Oasis at 240-800-3745.

Now You can add a gift card to your order. Give yourself some store credit or email a gift card to a friend! Click to add a gift card to your cart today!

01/09/2024

The Bethesda Historical Society today announced the purchase of the historic Bethesda Meeting House, "the church that named Bethesda." A new entity, the Bethesda Meeting House Foundation (BMHF) was formed to take ownership of the property and oversee the restoration and future use of the church and adjacent parsonage that occupy it. The first Meeting House on the site was built in 1820 by the Bethesda Presbyterian Church and named after a healing pool in Jerusalem. After fire destroyed the building in 1849, the present Meeting House was constructed, and the parsonage added. Visit BethesdaHistoricalSociety.org for more information and to donate to this exciting and important effort!