'Uncle Tom's Cabin' deeded to Parks Commission

An important piece of history has been slated for preservation on this Martin Luther King holiday.

A slave cabin that was once home to Josiah Henson has been deeded to the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission. Henson was the inspirational model for Harriet Beecher Stowe's title character in the abolitionist novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

As a slave, Henson was once the property of the 500 acre Riley family farm in what is now Bethesda. Henson lived and worked on the farm for more than 30 years before being sent to Kentucky. When he was unable to buy his freedom under an old agreement with his owner, he went fled to Canada with his wife and family.

Public officials have acquired the one acre site for $1 million. It will be preserved as an interpretive park.