Harpers Ferry National Park
The site of John Brown’s 1859 raid
Site Details
Pin location is approximate.
171 Shoreline Dr
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Family Friendly?
Yes
Visitors Per Year
450,000
Harpers Ferry National Park encompasses the U.S. Armory fire engine house that came to be known as “John Brown’s Fort,” in which John Brown and his men took their last stand, the John Brown Museum, multiple battle sites, and Storer College, a college for newly freed slaves after the Civil War. The park is primarily comprised of historical sites with educational markers throughout. The John Brown Museum features three videos that guide visitors through the story of John Brown’s Raid. Additionally, guided tours of the park led by park rangers are available on weekends and occasionally on weekdays. Two different tour themes are offered: “The Story Behind the Scenery,” which focuses on the overarching history of Harpers Ferry, and “John Brown Monuments and Mythology,” which focuses specifically on John Brown and his raid. Each tour is one hour long.
Harpers Ferry National Park adheres to the highest academic standards and tells not only the story of John Brown’s raid, but also the Civil War as a whole, in a balanced, educational manner. The historical sites and markers share the perspectives of all Americans affected by the Civil War and coalesce to paint a vivid image of the war, John Brown’s raid, and the Reconstruction period.
The guided tours are generally comprehensive, accurate, and do not push any ideological narrative.
Harpers Ferry National Park demonstrates no ideological bias and presents the details of John Brown’s raid and the Civil War in a factual manner.
Storer College shares inspiring stories of the tremendous work of the college to educate freed slaves after the war. One such student went on to become the first president of Nigeria.
The John Brown Museum provides a comprehensive overview of John Brown and his raid, with featured quotes from important figures condemning slavery—including Robert E. Lee—which provide nuance to the crisis.
Harpers Ferry National Park provides a great day trip destination for the whole family. Not only is it rich with history that would be interesting for all ages, but it is also a great location for hiking, walking, and just getting outside.
The Harpers Ferry National Park website is a great resource with a suggested itinerary, additional historical background and stories of Harpers Ferry, and other attractions in the area: Plan Your Visit—Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).
There does not appear to be a bookstore at any of the locations. The Visitors’ Center contained a few maps and brochures relating to the park, and the park rangers are very knowledgeable and helpful.
Harpers Ferry is best known for John Brown’s raid; however, due to its location on the border of North and South, it was a contentious site during the Civil War. Five Civil War battles took place in and around Harpers Ferry.
Since 1796, Harpers Ferry was the location of a federal arsenal. In October 1859, John Brown led a force of 21 men in a raid on the arsenal, in the hopes that the raid would start a national uprising and rebellion of slaves. Troops led by Robert E. Lee fought John Brown’s men for two days, eventually storming the fire engine house (the “fort”) into which John Brown and his men had retreated, capturing Brown and six of his men, all of whom were executed in the following months.
Following the raid and after the start of the Civil War, Harpers Ferry alternated between Northern and Southern control, which was devastating for the town. Following Virginia’s decision to secede from the Union in April of 1861, U.S. Army troops led by Lieutenant Roger Jones burned the arsenal to the ground. In the coming years, much of the rest of the town was destroyed, especially after the Battle of Harpers Ferry in 1862. For a while, St. Peter’s Church and the fire engine house (John Brown’s Fort) were among the few remaining buildings in Harpers Ferry.
Owned By: National Park Service
Operated By: National Park Service
Government Funded: Yes
Did you know?
St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry flew a British flag during the Civil War to avoid destruction.
Recommended Reading
- Civil War Virginia: Battleground for a Nation by James I. Robertson Jr.
- Civil War Sites in Virginia: A Tour Guide by James I. Robertson, Jr.
Reviewed By
Dr. Kevin Roberts
President of The Heritage Foundation
Emma Lagarde
Associate Writer at The Heritage Foundation
The opinions expressed above are those of the Reviewer who is providing a good-faith historical assessment to educate the public. Reasonable opinions can vary, and the Reviewer’s opinion is not necessarily the opinion of The Heritage Foundation or its affiliates.