Harpers Ferry Historical Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home > John Brown's 1859 Raid

John Brown's 1859 Raid on Harpers Ferry

A century and a half after his death, John Brown remains one of the most controversial figures in American history. On October 16, 1859 Brown, along with 21 followers came to Harpers Ferry, Virginia to strike a blow against slavery. The raid failed and Brown was hanged in December of 1859, but sixteen months later, the country erupted in civil war.

In 2009, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park hosted a variety of events, including commemorative, educational, musical, dramatic, and interpretative activities. The focus was on John Brown’s raid, his life, the larger context of the slavery issue, and Brown’s overall influence and his place in history.

Anniversaries provide unusual opportunities to draw attention and stimulate interest in historic figures and events. This observance provided an unprecedented opportunity to reflect on, and revisit the life of John Brown as it relates to the broader context of slavery, the abolitionist movement, and the American civil rights movement. The activities focused on the theme of John Brown as a watershed event in the chain of African-American history.

Portrait of John Brown

These events helped to enhance the interpretation and public education of the story of John Brown and provided historic and contemporary insights into one of America’s most controversial figures.

Academic Symposium

In addition to the commemorative public education events, Harpers Ferry Historical Association and Penn State University joined together to host an academic symposium on John Brown and his 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry. Entitled "John Brown Remembered," the symposium was held on October 14-17, 2009 at the Stephen T. Mather Training Center in Harpers Ferry. This symposium stimulated new and diverse academic research, scholarship, and debate on this subject. [Learn more about John Brown Remembered]

John Brown's Fort

Above: John Brown's Fort today. (Copyright © Eric Long Photography)

Below: John Brown, May 1859. The portrait is a copy of an original photograph by J.W. Black of Boston, Mass. Brown appears standing with a long beard, long-tail coat, vest, and trousers. (Harpers Ferry NHP).

 

150th ANNIVERSARY OF JOHN BROWN'S RAID:
John Brown's Raid »

ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM:
John Brown Remembered »