John Brown Remembered Exhibit

Home , Battle of Harpers Ferry, Dangerfield Newby, John Brown (biography), Kennedy Farm, Secret Six, Shields Green

Published for the Members and Friends IN THIS ISSUE: of the Harpers Ferry Reflections on Historical Association the John Brown Winter 2010 Sesquicentennial Lincoln Speech is Focus of Black History Month John Brown Remembered Exhibit

t rained. And rained and rained. Leonino played music and once again cre- New Titles in the For five straight days, Harpers Ferry – ated their roles of John and Mary Brown in Park Bookshop Itypically mild in October, its fall foliage their one act play, Sword of the Spirit. For bathed in sunlight – endured a steady, two days, uplifting music poured out of the soaking rain and temperatures in the 40s. Although Mother Nature tried to frame a somber atmosphere for this historic occasion, she did not deter the thousands of visitors from across the country that came to the drenched little town to remember, debate, and commemorate John Brown. Madman or martyr? This question was scrutinized by 200 historians, scholars, history buffs, and laymen who attended the academic symposium, John Brown Re- membered, which initiated the five days of events. A re-examination of Brown’s life and legacy revealed that he is still a polariz- ing figure in American history, especially in the 21st century when “domestic terrorist” is part of our lexicon. He proved to be insepa- rable from the complexities of our history, rain pelted tents. Highlights included the Members of the U.S. Marine but instrumental to the end of slavery and U.S. Marine Band concert, the Uptown Corps Historical Company in the civil rights movement. Music Theater children, and jazz musician front of John Brown’s Fort. On Friday, October 16, nearly 300 Delfeayo Marsalis’ premiere of Tattered (Courtesy of Jim Wassel) people followed the footsteps of Brown and Souls. On Sunday, the Maryland Symphony his raiders in a six mile anniversary proces- Orchestra String Ensemble provided the sion from the Kennedy Farm in Maryland background music for selected readings (Brown’s hideout) to Harpers Ferry. It was from Stephen Vincent Benét’s poem, John 150 years to the day, and the nearly identi- Brown’s Body. Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen cal weather made it a profound and unfor- Kennedy Townsend and actor Danny Glov- gettable experience. For a moving descrip- er were two of the special guest readers. tion of this event, please read the blog on Also on Sunday, HFHA members The picture which appears page 4. joined descendants of John Brown, his raid- on our newsletter’s nameplate, The following day saw busload after ers, and townspeople for a special breakfast. dating from 1803, is one of the oldest prints of Harpers Ferry. busload of visitors converge on the town to Singer Jasmine Muhammad performed for Twenty years earlier, in 1783, hear stirring speeches, listen to music, and the descendants, and following the breakfast Thomas Jefferson had declared engage in interpretive activities. Fred Mor- they moved somberly through the wet town that this view was “worth a sell moved his audience with his recreation as park ranger David Fox retold the story voyage across the Atlantic.” of Frederick Douglass’ 1881 address on John their ancestors lived 150 years ago. All the Brown. Magpie duo Greg Artzner and Terry while water-logged yet smiling park staff and continued on page 2  1 Armory John Brown Remembered steps tempered by the solemn beats of a Superintendent Continued from Page 1 drum corps. Members volunteers continued to throw down straw, Below the reproduction scaffold, Jo (Kuhn) Curtis in keep the tents heated, and make the visit Artzner read from some of Brown’s let- memory of Jim Kuhn memorable despite the weather conditions. ters and papers. John Brown’s great-great- and Alexander and Mary Anniversary programs did not end on great-granddaughter, Alice Keesey Mecoy, nd Murphy that October weekend. On December 2 , spoke and placed a wreath under the mock Brandywine, MD a crowd gathered in front of the Jefferson gallows. Audience members sang “John Dr. Robert Johnson County Courthouse in Charles Town, WV, Brown’s Body” as the wagon with Brown’s Harpers Ferry, WV to commemorate John Brown’s death at the casket departed. The event concluded with Ronald Jones gallows. After the verdict from his trial was a trumpet solo. Our Lady of Sorrows read, Greg Artzner, again portraying Brown, A similar event took place two weeks School road atop a coffin in a horse-drawn wagon to later commemorating the hanging of raiders Farmington, MI the gallows site. A crowd of onlookers and John Cook, Edwin Coppoc, Shields Green, Nancy Myers in honor of several re-enactors followed behind, their and John Copeland. Don Campbell Harpers Ferry, WV

Paymaster Members Reflections Cynthia Gayton The following reflections are shared by him, but in my mind, John Brown was there Harpers Ferry, WV members who were able to participate in walking with me…. Ranger Frye made a Tony Horwitz some of the sesquicentennial events: remark about the train coming into Harpers Vineyard Haven, MA Ferry at about ten p.m. and just as he said Jim and Suzanne Silvia “I was impressed by how the National Park that a train whistle blew…The procession Taunton, MA & Harpers Service and the Harpers Ferry Historical in town was very moving. Fred Morsell be- Ferry, WV Association members worked ing there was an added plus.” seamlessly together to create – Karl Buchspics, Willow Master Armorer such a phenomenal event for Grove, PA Members all of us. I was also impressed Allison Alsdorf by how they adapted to the “…it was a very rich and re- Harpers Ferry, WV weather and made everything warding experience, very well Kirk Bradley continue to run smoothly in organized, and something we Sanford, NC spite of the cold and wet con- will never forget…one of the Donald and Patricia ditions. The quality of presen- 1859 Raid most memorable things for Burgess tations was among the highest on Harpers Ferry me was sitting across the table Harpers Ferry, WV I’ve seen at a conference and from a gentleman from Kansas Rock Comstock the number of well-known Brown scholars who discovered he was a descendent of one Vienna, VA in attendance was impressive.” of Brown’s key activist supporters in Kansas. Hon. and Mrs. Thomas – Janet Beck, Valle Crucis, NC He had brought things with him that were Curtis and Family so interesting to us – we were glued to his Baltimore, MD “The kindness and decency of people at- every word.” Kim and Frank Edwards tending comes to mind. A man I did not – Louise Minks, Leverett, MA Edgewood, MD know, offered me the use of his umbrella, Scot Faulkner as he was attending a lot of the same lec- “I would go again in a heartbeat. I think this Harpers Ferry, WV tures…The variety of topics covered was will be a very hard act to follow going into Wayne Hammond amazing…Now, we get to The Walk from the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Now Saxton, PA the Kennedy Farm…I was up close to the I know about the real John Brown…I want Rebecca Harriett horse and wagon most of the walk and that to compliment the committees, volunteers, Rocky Mount, VA added so much. At times, I felt like I was the Park Service and presenters and all Bruce Kramer both in the past and present…When Rang- whom were involved. It was wonderful.” Baltimore, MD er Frye got up and spoke I felt like he was – John Lofquist, Marysville, MI continued on page 3 speaking to John Brown’s men, not to me. I thought I saw a man that strongly resembled “For those of us who do not spend every day John Brown in the lantern light. Not want- immersed in history…it was great to be in 2  ing to break the mood, I didn’t speak to such a friendly, sharing group. I might add Clockwise from top left: Re-enactors and participants cross the bridge into Harpers Ferry during the anniversary procession. (Courtesy of Jim Wassel) Author Bob O’Connor and John Brown’s great-great- great-granddaughter, Alice Keesey Mecoy of Allen, TX, participate in events commemorating Brown’s death on December 2nd. (Courtesy of Marsha Wassel) Park Ranger speaks to a crowd at the original sight of John Brown’s Fort. (Courtesy of Marsha Wassel)

Master Armorer Members (cont’d) Anne A. Long Myersville, MD Cynthia K. Mason Baltimore, MD Linda Parks Washington, DC George Rutherford Ranson, WV Steven and Barnette Savitz Teaneck, NJ Maureen Weber Falling Waters, WV that we have been on a number of “Civil events, several lectures and both commemo- Recent Donations War trips,” including with Ed Bearss and rations of the executions in Charles Town. Nancy Weaver James McPherson. Often, the people on I also worked on the Descendants commit- San Diego, CA those trips are OBSESSED with battlefield tee, the Jefferson County Committee, and Tony Horwitz details and who stood where, etc….my in- the Quad states committee. And I lectured Vineyard Haven, MA terest is much more in the effect of the war many times throughout the year on John Nina Stowell on human beings as they lived it and came Brown in relation to my book. The walk and Harpers Ferry, WV out of it. The John Brown symposium was Kennedy Farm activities and meeting all the Cannon Graphics refreshing because so many different topics, descendents were highlights for me. And Charleston, WV angles, and outcomes were presented…the the cooperation from all entities throughout John Brown subject provided conflict, de- the area in promoting all the events. We bate, drama, and inspiration to think about need to keep it all going now – to mesh how we treat others even today.” into the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. – Diane Lofquist, Marysville, MI Thanks to all.” – Bob O’Connor, Charles Town, WV “I attended John Brown events in Manassas, VA (Newby); Alexandria, VA (Copeland); Renew. Friends. Indiana, PA (Hazlett); Chambersburg, PA To hear Magpie sing. (Cook); the symposium, the open house at Mingling soil, hope conquers death the Kennedy Farm, the walk from the Ken- At Shenandoah Crossing. nedy Farm, the Sesquicentennial weekend – Jean Libby, Palo Alto, CA  3 Clockwise from top: Fred Morsell, Terry Leonino, and Greg Artzner read selections from John Brown’s Body. (Courtesy of Marsha Wassel) Actor Greg Artzner portrays John Brown in Sword of the Spirit. (Courtesy of Jim Wassel) Marines place a wreath in honor of Pvt. Luke Quinn, who died while storming the engine house on October 18, 1859. (Courtesy of Jim Wassel)

group of people who reenacted their 5 mile Walking in the march from the Kennedy Farmhouse to the Footsteps of History Armory. I want to share my thoughts about this incredibly emotional experience of a For three days in the middle of October lifetime, an experience that made me very 2009, I attended the “John Brown Re- proud to be able to say that, a few months membered” academic symposium held in earlier, I became an American citizen (I am Harpers Ferry, WV, to mark the 150th an- not sure what commemorating a raid on a niversary of John Brown’s raid. The paper I federal arsenal says about my conception presented was very well received, and served of citizenship, but that does not change my to educate a good number of people about reaction to the reenactment walk). the work of the Massachusetts abolition- True to the conditions of 1859, the ist Lysander Spooner, and his connection evening was wet and cold, but this did not to Brown’s raid. However, with all respect deter the 300 walkers – the largest turnout to Spooner, the highlight of my time in since the inception of this commemorative Harpers Ferry came not at the conference, event in 1979. We assembled at the Kenne- but instead at an optional, non-academic dy Farmhouse, and very solemnly and with activity. On the night of Friday October a deep respect for the dignity of history, 16, exactly 150 years after John Brown and listened to the moving words of Brown, and 4  his men walked into history – I joined a his relatives, read by Dennis Frye, the Chief Clockwise from top: Some of the descendants who came to remember their ancestor’s part in the raid. (Courtesy of Jim Wassel) Member Janet Beck (left) checks in at the “John Brown Remembered” academic symposium registration desk along with Melanie Fritsch of Tuebingen, Germany. (Courtesy of Marsha Wassel) Historian of the Harpers Ferry National truly memorable as he often stopped the John Brown hands his bible to Historical Park, and Alice Keesey Mecoy, procession to remind us, as if we were really John Blessing before he departs the great-great-great granddaughter of John Brown’s men, of the undertaking ahead of for the gallows. (Courtesy of Brown. Instinctively people realized that us. Marsha Wassel) this was not a moment for flashbulbs to pop, As the lights of Harpers Ferry came into phones to ring, or for the screens of pdas to sight, on the other side of the Potomac, the be illuminated. blood flowed quicker, and the heart beat Likewise, as we proceeded to make our faster – but not as fast as it did when we own bit of history, following a horse-drawn finally crossed the footbridge over the river, wagon (just as Brown’s men did, but a first silently pausing to reflect upon those who for the reenactment, making this occasion had come before us, 150 years ago. It was at that bit more special) along the dark streets this point, as the media assembled ahead of of rural Washington County, few photos us, gathered in the dark silence with resi- were taken, and words were left unsaid. We dents and tourists alike, that the tears began were, after all, deep in thought about the to form. They would, in due course, flow in families we were leaving behind, and mind- remembrance of the blood that flowed in ful of the magnitude of the undertaking the streets that night, and on the battlefields that lay ahead. The remarkable Mr. Frye, over the next five years. understandably famous in the Civil War As Mr. Frye solemnly noted, no hu- reenactment community, made the evening man force could explain why about 20 of  5 us, at the front of the group of walkers, were As the rain receded, but a cold breeze randomly chosen to receive a candle and a continued to punctuate the air, those of us piece of paper at the end of the walk. The carrying the candles were, again silently, words were simple, but powerful: led to another part of the armory site. The candles were extinguished, thereby drawing Kennedy Farm Procession Closing Ceremony the walk to a close. More than one person When the name on your paper is called, shed more than one tear (including myself) Come forward, for those fallen but not forgotten. We left Light a Candle, believing that John Brown’s “soul” was Stand at the right of the building. indeed, 150 years later, “still marching on.”

It was truly an honor to do exactly this, in Dr. Helen J. Knowles memory of Charles Tidd – escaped. Assistant Professor of Political Science State University of New York at Oswego

been updated from the 1971 edition and Lincoln Speech is Focus now includes 112 pages of full-color photos, of Black History Month maps, artwork, and historical artifacts associated with the raid. Exhibit New sidebars feature the Secret Six, the Kennedy Farm, Chambersburg, letters Throughout the month of February a special between raider Dangerfield Newby and his exhibit entitled Abraham Lincoln at Cooper enslaved wife, Heyward Shepherd, an ex- Union: Prelude to Emancipation will fo- cerpt from Osborne Anderson’s A Voice from cus on Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 speech Harper’s Ferry, the capture of raider John against the expansion of slavery. On Cook, and the movement of John Brown’s February 27, 1860, Lincoln presented Fort. Also included is a detailed timeline of his most influential and widely reported John Brown and new bios of all of the raid- pre-presidential address at the Cooper ers. Union Institute in New York City. This speech confirmed Lincoln’s suitability as John Brown Photo Chronology: Catalog of a presidential nominee while reaffirm- the Exhibition at Harpers Ferry 2009 (Al- ing his opposition to slavery lies for Freedom Publishers, 2009) HFHA This special exhibit will open on member Jean Libby is a longtime chronicler Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. of events and people associated with the on the second floor of the John Brown John Brown raid. The companion book Museum on Shenandoah Street in from her exhibit traces the origins of twelve Harpers Ferry. The program will fea- different known photograph portraits of ture a presentation by Mr. Jim Getty as the militant abolitionist, all taken between Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Getty’s presen- 1848 and 1859. Abraham Lincoln. (Library of tation will be followed by a ribbon-cutting Congress) John Brown was fascinated with the ceremony opening this special exhibit. new technology of photography and used For additional information, please call his image to recruit followers, raise funds, the Park Information Center at 304-535- and promote his cause of ending slavery in 6029. the United States. Abolitionist and Free- State emigration sponsors of several of the New Titles in the sittings also wanted to utilize his charis- matic force evident in the new medium. Park Bookshop The determined mouth, square set jaw, and piercing eyes clearly foreshadowed the John Brown’s Raid The Association is intense purpose which would bring him to proud to announce the release of the new Harpers Ferry in 1859. The book also in- edition of this handbook from the National cludes essays, letters, and bios of the known Park Service History Series. The book has 6  photographers. that will examine the military and civilian Preview of the Civil War experience, and the economic effects of the Sesquicentennial war. Highlights include:

In The Portent, Herman Melville called • (2011) Burning of the Arsenal, Battle of John Brown the meteor of the war. In Harp- Bolivar Heights ers Ferry the commemoration of his raid • (2012) Jackson and the Valley Cam- has already sparked plans to mark the 150th paign, Battle of Harpers Ferry anniversary of the Civil War. Harpers Ferry • (2013) Emancipation Proclamation and For more information is unique in that it was not the sight of one the Birth of the U.S. Colored Troops, about all Park events, call battle or one event. For six tumultuous years Harpers Ferry and the Gettysburg 304.535.6029 or visit the this town endured destruction and occupa- Campaign park website at www.nps. tion by blue and gray forces, and saw one of • (2014) Washington Saved, Sheridan’s gov/hafe. the largest surrenders of Union troops dur- 1864 Valley Campaign ing the war. • (2015) Freedman’s Bureau, Educating The National Park Service and its the Newly Freed Slaves and the Prelude partners have outlined events through 2015 to Storer College

Harpers Ferry Historical Association Membership Application

❏ I wish to join the Harpers Ferry Historical Association (new member) ❏ I am not interested in receiving member ben- ❏ I wish to renew my membership (renewal) efits, but I would like to make a contribution in the amount of ______to aid the mission Please enroll me in the following member category (check one): of the Harpers Ferry Historical Association. ❏ $25 Armory Worker – Basic membership for a family household. Benefits include a newsletter subscription, a 15% discount on all ❏ I am a Charter Member and would like to bookshop purchases, a vinyl decal, and invitations to annual meeting make a donation of ______. and events. ❏ Check if this is a new address for you ❏ $25 Sarah Jane Foster – An alternative basic membership for edu- cators. Benefits include the above plus open house for teachers and discounts on programs for teachers. ______❏ $45 Millwright – For those members who are frequent visitors to Name the park. Benefits are the same as Armory Worker category plus a 12-month Harpers Ferry Park entrance pass. ______❏ $100 Master Armorer – A supporting membership category. In- Address cludes all benefits of the Millwright category plus a “John Brown’s ______Fort” ornament, member recognition in our newsletter and at our City State Zip annual meeting, and a special tour. ❏ $250 Paymaster – For businesses, vendors or family donors who ______wish to contribute to the Association’s mission. Benefits include Telephone 15% discount on all bookshop purchases; a newsletter subscription; ______vinyl decal; invitations to annual meetings, events, and association- E-mail sponsored education programs; a 12-month park pass; “John Brown’s Fort” ornament; recognition in newsletter and at annual meeting; Please clip and mail to: special tour; and additional membership card. Harpers Ferry Historical Association P.O. Box 197 ❏ $500 Armory Superintendent – For supporters (individual and Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 corporate) who wish to perpetuate Association and Park education

programs. Benefits include 15% discount on all bookshop purchases, Toll-free: 1-800-821-5206 a newsletter subscription, vinyl decals, invitations to annual meet- Phone: (304) 535-6881 ing, events, and education programs, “John Brown’s Fort” ornament, Fax: (304) 535-6749 recognition in the newsletter and at annual meeting, special tour, an Email: [email protected] Amercia the Beautiful pass (for use in all parks) for individuals, and a display plaque for businesses.

 7 The Harpers Ferry Historical Harpers Ferry Historical Association Non-Profit Organization Association operates the Na- Post Office Box 197 U.S. Postage tional Park Bookshop in Lower Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 PAID Town Harpers Ferry. Profits Harpers Ferry, WV from sales are returned to the 25425 park to support interpretive and Permit No. 12 educational programs to enhance your visit. You are invited to join this unique organization and be a part of Harpers Ferry’s special family. For more information call (304) 535-6881, send e-mail to [email protected], or visit our website at www. harpersferryhistory.org.

ARPERS FERRY istorical Association

Ex e c u t i v e Di r e c t o r ping software or be willing to learn the Deborah K. Piscitelli Call for Volunteers required procedures. • Database development: Creating or add- Ed i t o r The Jefferson County Historic Landmarks ing information to historical databases. David T. Gilbert Commission has recently launched the Must have working knowledge of Micro- Jefferson County GeoHistory Project. The Contributing Ed i t o r soft Access 2007 software. project’s main goal is to link text, pho- Cathy Baldau • Programming: Developing programs that tographs, maps, and databases related to will enable users to search project infor- Bo a r d o f Di r e c t o r s Jefferson County History into a free, search- mation via the Internet. Must have work- James Silvia, President able, Internet-based system. The project will ing knowledge of SQL, VBA, VB.NET, Wayne Welty, Treasurer include working with individuals and local Anne Long Python, or C# programming. Suzanne Silvia institutions to research and create historical maps of Jefferson County. Midge Flinn Yost If you would like to volunteer, contact Bill One part of the project will focus on the Theriault at: [email protected]. Harpers Ferry area and will be undertaken by staff and volunteers at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Efforts will also Membership Update include all other parts of Jefferson County. Volunteers are needed to work on the We are pleased to welcome all of the new project in the following areas: members who joined the HFHA in 2009. Our membership increased by nearly twen- • Data entry: Transcribing historical docu- ty-five percent last year. Member retention ments. Work can be performed at home. also increased over 2008. A recruitment Must have word processing software and table in the 150th Anniversary weekend an Internet connection. sales tent was very successful (congratula- • Research: Collecting information that tions to Bob O’Connor who won the gift will be used in the development of histori- basket) and we hope to plan more events cal maps. Must have an interest in local this year. We welcome any recruitment history and be willing to utilize local and ideas our members might suggest, especially Internet resources. as we approach a milestone of $2 million • Map creation: Developing maps that in donations to the National Park Service display historic information of the area. since we began our mission in 1971. We 8  Must have experience with ArcGIS map- truly appreciate your support!