Program Date: Saturday, May 16th & Sunday, May 17th
Program Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Upper Porch of the Park Bookshop

Discounted new and used books, games, merchandise, and more—our spring porch sale is back! Come browse, find a hidden gem, and score some great deals while helping us clear the shelves. 

Join us Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the upper porch of the Bookshop.

Program Date: Saturday, May 16th
Program Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Virginius Island

This guided hike with Harpers Ferry NHP rangers offers unforgettable opportunities to see the Shenandoah River, spring wildflowers, birds, and river wildlife along the scenic Virginius Island trails! As we wind through riparian forest and past mill, turbine, and waterworks ruins, we’ll explore the diverse plant life that thrives in Harpers Ferry’s predominantly forested landscape while also keeping an eye out for some of the park’s 120 bird species while also keeping an eye out for some of the park’s 120 bird species and learning about the aquatic life of the Shenandoah, including eels, macroinvertebrates, and more.

You may spot the striking pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) or the yellow-throated warbler (Setophaga dominica) alongside the rich variety of plant life that supports them.

Whether you're an experienced birdwatcher, budding botanist, or simply enjoy spending time in nature, this hike offers a perfect blend of nature, history, and wildlife!

This 2-mile hike is rated EASY, and the route follows compacted earth, sand, and gravel with little to no elevation change. 

This guided hike has a $10.00 program fee. Registration is encouraged to secure a spot for this program.

Program Date: Saturday, May 16th
Program Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Arsenal Square, in historic Lower Town

Discover how seed saving helped the young American republic grow productive kitchen gardens nationwide.

Purchase living heirloom seedlings and seeds through the Harpers Ferry Park Association to jump-start a heritage garden at home.

Program Date: Saturday, May 16th & Sunday, May 17th
Program Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Upper Porch of the Park Bookshop

Discounted new and used books, games, merchandise, and more—our spring porch sale is back! Come browse, find a hidden gem, and score some great deals while helping us clear the shelves. 

Join us Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the upper porch of the Bookshop.

Program Date: Sunday, May 17th
Program Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: The Tent on the Green Across from the Park Bookshop
Event Fee: $40.00

Come share a meal with our Superintendent, Tanya Gossett, and take a journey through her career and experiences. Discover some of her highlights and learned wisdom, and hear how Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is looking toward the future.

Let’s take a moment to sit down together and strengthen those bonds that have made our partnership with the park so strong. The word “resilience” comes to mind when we think about this year. Our park officials have had to adapt in a number of ways, and this gathering offers a chance to connect more deeply with that ongoing work. 

Please note: this is a Harpers Ferry Park Association Supporter-Only event. Not a current supporter? Join today or at the Bookshop on the day of the event!

Program Date: Thursday, May 21st
Program Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Alstadts Ale House

Explore the rich stories of our historic town and gain a deeper appreciation of Harpers Ferry’s place in the nation’s story during our History on Tap series. Step into the warm, inviting ambiance of Alstadts Ale House and immerse yourself in engaging discussions on a range of fascinating history.

Will rosemary really boost your intelligence? Did tobacco really cure toothaches? Does eucalyptus ward away evil? For thousands of years, herbs have been used in healing infusions, to treat ailments, and add flavor into cooked foods. Come explore the importance of herbal usage in the past, and the myths and lore associated with their planting, harvesting and use.

Come for the history and stay for the camaraderie, with delicious food, handcrafted cocktails, and a selection of beer and wine available for purchase. Seating is limited, so registration is recommended, and tables may be shared with fellow attendees.

Program Date: Saturday, May 30th
Program Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the United States has made strides toward fulfilling its promise of liberty and equality—yet ending slavery required extraordinary courage and sacrifice. Two abolitionists, united by mutual respect and a shared goal, took different paths in their efforts to end slavery in America.

Discover the history and significance of Harpers Ferry to John Brown and Frederick Douglass in this day-long event. The highlight is a dramatic recreation of the speech Douglass gave at Storer College in 1881 about Brown by author, performance poet, and historian Nathan M. Richardson. Ranger- and volunteer-led programs will precede and follow the performance. 

11:00 AM | John Brown’s Raid. Learn about John Brown’s plan to seize the US Armory and Arsenal in Harpers Ferry and spark a slave uprising. Discover how the 1859 raid exposed deep national divisions over slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War. Historic Lower Town.  

12:00 PM | John Brown Monuments and Mythology. Explore how monuments influence the way we remember history. Harpers Ferry NHP is home to three monuments connected to John Brown’s raid. Discover the stories they tell and the perspectives they represent. Meet on the Green, Historic Lower Town.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Harpers Ferry Park Association book sales. Browse a selection of books and gifts related to Harpers Ferry, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, and African American history. Anthony Hall, first floor.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Frederick Douglass' Speech reenactment. In this creative program, author, performance poet, and Frederick Douglass historian Nathan M. Richardson will bring Douglass’ 1881 speech about John Brown to life from the very spot where Douglass stood. Mather Training Center lawn. Anthony Hall lawn.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | The Power of Place: Lockwood House. Join a ranger-led program exploring the history of Lockwood House, the first building in Harpers Ferry used to educate formerly enslaved people. Discover how this historic place became a symbol of education, opportunity, and freedom after the Civil War.

Sponsored by the Harpers Ferry Park Association and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Program Fees: Included with Park Pass or Admission

Program Date: Monday, June 1st
Program Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Online via Zoom

In 1890, African Americans Tom and Lavinia Lovett opened a summer resort hotel in historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Despite operating in the Jim Crow era, the famous Hill Top House attracted thousands of vacationers from the DC-Baltimore area and beyond. Learn about the story of the remarkable Lovett family and their lifelong perseverance through strife, tragedy, and racial injustice.

Presented by Lynn Pechuekonis, author of the recently published Among the Mountains: The Lovetts and Their Hill Top House. The program will be held via Zoom, so registration is required.

Program Date: Saturday, June 6th – Sunday, June 7th
Program Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Blacksmith Shop

Step Back in Time: Experience the Art of Nineteenth-Century Blacksmithing

Discover the crucial role blacksmiths played in 19th-century life — from forging tools and hardware that kept daily life moving to crafting weapons for the U.S. Armory for national defense. Now, it’s your turn to wield the hammer!  Learn this historic trade from Professional Blacksmith David Dufficy. Feel the heat of the forge, echo the clang of the hammer on hot iron, and create something with your own two hands — just as they did 150 years ago!

Workshop Quick Facts

• Time Estimate: Two Days, Six (6) Hours Each Day
• Workshop Fee: $150.00 | This two-day workshop fee covers instruction, coal, and metal.
• Maximum Number of Participants: Limited to 6 Participants | 18 years of age or older

Program Date: Thursday, June 17th
Program Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Mt. Zion Episcopal Churchyard

Please join the Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table and the Harpers Ferry Park Association for a guided tour of historic graves of the Zion Episcopal Churchyard, at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The Church is located at 301 E. Congress Street, Charles Town, WV. Street parking is available in the neighborhood, and we will meet at the S. Mildred Street entrance to the churchyard.

Since 1816, Zion Church has been a center of worship and the final resting place of area residents. Over 70 tombstones among the 1,000 graves bear the name Washington. Many of the interred have connections with American wars, including soldiers and civilians of the Civil War era. We will make our way to the graves of some of these individuals and hear their stories from HFPA-Certified Guides and members of the Round Table.

This event is free and open to the public, but you must reserve your space by contacting Paige Troiano at paigehfcwrt@gmail.com or 240-370-9173. We will carry on in light rain (bring an umbrella), but you will receive an email notification if there is a weather postponement. Although walking distances are minimal, you must be prepared for uneven terrain, brick sidewalks, and standing for the duration of the tour. There is no dinner associated with this program, and there will be no restroom access.

Program Date: Thursday, June 18th
Program Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Alstadts Ale House

Explore the rich stories of our historic town and gain a deeper appreciation of Harpers Ferry’s place in the nation’s story during our History on Tap series. Step into the warm, inviting ambiance of Alstadts Ale House and immerse yourself in engaging discussions on a range of fascinating history.

In 1890, African Americans Tom and Lavinia Lovett opened a summer resort hotel in historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Despite operating in the Jim Crow era, the famous Hill Top House attracted thousands of vacationers from the DC-Baltimore area and beyond. Presented by Lynn Pechuekonis, author of the recently published Among the Mountains: The Lovetts and Their Hill Top House, learn about the story of the remarkable Lovett family and their lifelong perseverance through strife, tragedy, and racial injustice.

Come for the history and stay for the camaraderie, with delicious food, handcrafted cocktails, and a selection of beer and wine available for purchase. Seating is limited, so registration is recommended, and tables may be shared with fellow attendees.

Program Date: Saturday, June 27th – Sunday, June 28th
Program Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Blacksmith Shop

Step Back in Time: Experience the Art of Nineteenth-Century Blacksmithing

Discover the crucial role blacksmiths played in 19th-century life — from forging tools and hardware that kept daily life moving to crafting weapons for the U.S. Armory for national defense. Now, it’s your turn to wield the hammer!  Learn this historic trade from Professional Blacksmith David Dufficy. Feel the heat of the forge, echo the clang of the hammer on hot iron, and create something with your own two hands — just as they did 150 years ago!

Workshop Quick Facts

• Time Estimate: Two Days, Six (6) Hours Each Day
• Workshop Fee: $150.00 | This two-day workshop fee covers instruction, coal, and metal.
• Maximum Number of Participants: Limited to 6 Participants | 18 years of age or older