2011 Schedule of Events
These family events relate the natural and cultural history of the area and give accounts of the men and women whose contributions made Harpers Ferry a significant place in our nation’s heritage. These events are made possible through the efforts of the park staff, NPS volunteers, living history groups, and the Harpers Ferry Historical Association. For more information call 304-535-6029 or visit the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park website.
April 16-17
War Comes to Harpers Ferry: The Burning of the Federal Arsenal
Time: Saturday 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town venues; Description: This two-day event will focus on the April 1861 secession of Virginia from the Union and the subsequent burning of the Federal Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Activities will include, living history, ranger conducted programs and family/youth activities.
May 7
Batteaux on the Rivers: Highways of Trade 1812
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Shenandoah River and Harper House; Virginia Canals & Navigation Society and Park Living History rangers. Wager family flour business used boats to ship flour to Georgetown and Alexandria.
May 21
The Ingenuity of John Hall: 200th Anniversary of Hall’s Breechloader Patent
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: The Green; Description: Special Exhibit and ranger conducted programs throughout the day.
May 28-29
Defend and Protect: Arming America’s Soldiers
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Special exhibits featuring the guns of the Harpers Ferry Armory that defended a young republic. Special tours and demonstrations at 2, 3, and 4 p.m.
June 4
National Trails Day
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Special displays and guided hikes to breathtaking overlooks. Bee Hive Oven baking demo.
June 4-5
40th Anniversary Event
The Harpers Ferry Historical Association is celebrating its 40th Anniversary the weekend of June 4-5. Please plan to join us for one or both days to celebrate our 40 years of supporting the park. Some special programs have been planned for you each day, culminating in a picnic on Sunday afternoon.
June 11
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town: Paymaster Garden; Spring planting at the 1810 Armory Paymaster's Garden with Historic Master Gardener Carol Anderson.
June 18
Author Signing: "B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet"
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Location: The Green in Lower Town across from the Park Bookshop. Join Pat Bauer and David Geister for reading, demonstrations, and book-signing.
June 25
10th Annual Don Redman Heritage Concert & Awards
Time: 6:00 PM; Location: Camp Hill; Description: The event and concert commemorate the internationally acclaimed and influential 1920 graduate of Storer College, Don Redman featuring Dr. Larry Ridley, Larry Willis, and the Howard Burns Quartet.
June 25-26
Under Fire: The Battle of Harpers Ferry
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Bolivar Heights Battlefield; Artillery firing demonstrations at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
July 2
Wonders of the Modern World 1860: Celebrating the Glorious Fourth
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Wonder at the innovations brewing at our Federal Armory and beyond. Special programs at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
July 3
Ices and Creamed Ice
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Join confections and foodways expert Carol Anderson to discover 1860 summer-time cold treats.
July 16-17
Under Fire: The Battle of Harpers Ferry
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Bolivar Heights Battlefield; Artillery firing demonstrations at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
July 23
“Slavery, the Abolitionist Movement and Reflections of Jefferson”
Time: 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Description: An insightful dramatic presentation on the issue of slavery featuring Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson.
August 6-7
Under Fire: The Battle of Harpers Ferry
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Bolivar Heights Battlefield; Artillery firing demonstrations at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
August 13-14
Giving Aid and Comfort: Civil War Medical Weekend
Time: 11:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; 20th Maine Hospital and 142nd Pennsylvania Vols. Special programs at 1,2 and 3 p.m.
August 20-21
Beehive Oven Baking and Rye Straw Bread Basket Weaving
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Learn the basics of making bread and rising in Rye Straw Baskets. Watch how Frederick Roeder was able to run large bake ovens.
August 21
Niagara Movement Pilgrimage to John Brown’s Fort
Time: 8:00 AM; Location: Murphy Farm & Curtis Freewill Baptist Church; Description: Retrace the 1906 footsteps of the men and women of Niagara during this commemorative walk to the site of the John Brown’s Fort in 1906. A 10:00 a.m. memorial service will follow at the Curtis Freewill Baptist Church.
September 3-4
Eyes of the Army: The Calvary Factor
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Join members of the 2nd US Cavalry as they demonstrate the speed and might of horse and soldier.
October 1
Mr. Lincoln Returns to Harpers Ferry
Time: 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Description: Our 16th president comes to life as Jim Getty portrays Abraham Lincoln.
October 8
Reacting to the Raid: Virginia Militia Arming to the Teeth
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Features militia drill and firing demo, martial law, ladies fair booth, and grand civic barbecue. Special tours at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
October 15-16
In the Shadows of John Brown: The 1861 Battle of Bolivar Heights
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM both days; Location: Bolivar Heights; Description: Two years to the day after John Brown’s Raid, Union and Confederate troops clashed on Bolivar Heights. The event will highlight the unique parallels between John Brown and participants of the battle. Activities will include, living history, ranger conducted programs and family/youth activities. Learn more »
October 22-23
Basil Williamson's Tavern and the War of 1812
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town, Harper House; Special displays and living history rangers and volunteers help revisit and portray the town’s reaction to the British invasion! Special program at 3 p.m.
October 29-30
Under Fire: The Battle of Harpers Ferry 1862
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Bolivar Heights Battlefield; Join the members of the Baltimore Light Artillery as they demonstrate the might and intimidation of field artillery.
Firing demonstrations at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
November 5-6
Roeder's Tavern Cider Making 1860
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Join living history rangers and volunteers for cider-making demonstration and fall food preservation.
December 3-4
Capt. Flagg's US Quartermaster City: Prospects of Peace
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Location: Lower Town; Join over 175 living history volunteers as they help present park visitors with a unique window into the magnitude and scope of Captain Flagg’s 1864 US Quartermaster city. |
