® NATIONAL HISTORICALNATIONAL PARK H A RPERS FERRY A R esource Assessment

February 2009 ®

Center for State of the Parks ®

More than a century ago, Congress established Yellowstone as the CONTENTS world’s first national park. That single act was the beginning of a remarkable and ongoing effort to protect this nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage. Today, Americans are learning that national park designation INTRODUCTION 1 alone cannot provide full resource protection. Many parks are compromised by development of adjacent lands, air and water pollu- KEY FINDINGS 6 tion, invasive plants and animals, and rapid increases in motorized recreation. Park officials often lack adequate information on the THE HARPERS FERRY status of and trends in conditions of critical resources. NATIONAL HISTORICAL The National Parks Conservation Association initiated the State of the Parks program in 2000 to assess the condition of natural and PARK ASSESSMENT 9 cultural resources in the parks, and determine how well equipped the CULTURAL RESOURCES— National Park Service is to protect the parks—its stewardship capac- NATION’S HISTORY ON DISPLAY ity. The goal is to provide information that will help policymakers, the public, and the National Park Service improve conditions in AT HARPERS FERRY 9 national parks, celebrate successes as models for other parks, and NATURAL RESOURCES— ensure a lasting legacy for future generations. PARK PROTECTS HISTORIC For more information about the methodology and research used in preparing this report and to learn more about the Center for State VIEWS AND RARE ANIMAL of the Parks, visit www.npca.org/stateoftheparks or contact: NPCA, AND PLANT SPECIES 18 Center for State of the Parks, P.O. Box 737, Fort Collins, CO 80522; STEWARDSHIP CAPACITY 26 phone: 970.493.2545; email: [email protected].

Since 1919, the National Parks Conservation Association has been APPENDIX: METHODOLOGY 32 the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhanc- ing our National Park System. NPCA, its members, and partners work together to protect the park system and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for generations to come.

* More than 340,000 members * 25 regional and field offices * More than 120,000 activists

A special note of appreciation goes to those whose generous grants COVER PHOTO: Harpers Ferry National and donations made this report possible: Dorothy Canter, Ben and Historical Park as seen from Bolivar Heights. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service. Ruth Hammett, MSST Foundation, and anonymous donors. INSET: Joy Oakes there. The ChesapeakeandOhioCanal opened following theconstructionofafederalarmory quickly grewintoabustling industrialarea rural hamletupuntiltheearly 1800swhenit and Virginia.Thetown ofHarpersFerry was a part ofthreestates:W the ShenandoahandPotomac Rivers andis Park. Thepark is situatedattheconfluenceof history thanHarpersF Few placesinthe UnitedStateshave seenmore erry NationalHistorical est Virginia,Maryland, INTRODUCTION importance. Otherhistoricevents thatoccurred the CivilWar, atestament tothearea’s strategic The town changedhandseighttimesduring to forward theabolitionmovement in 1859. armory andarsenalatHarpers Ferry forhisraid tion hub opment andturnedthetown intoatransporta- ing year, whichfurtherfueledindustrialdevel- line beganservicingHarpersF in 1833andtheBaltimoreOhioRailroad . JohnBro wn targetedthefederal erry thefollo w - history. course ofAmerican determined the several eventsthat was thestagefor Ferry, West Virginia, district ofHarpers The LowerT own

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Harpers Ferry National Historical Park 1 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

2 ark erry National Historical P a nationally significant area in 1944, establish- ing Harpers Ferry National Monument. This

Harpers F bill set aside the park as “a national public memorial commemorating historical events.” Since it was established, the park has grown in size via land purchases, private and public land donations, and exchanges of federal lands. Congress changed the park’s name to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in 1963 to “more accurately represent the site’s evolution.” Today Harpers Ferry’s authorized boundary includes about 3,745 acres of important cultural sites

CATHERINE NORRIS and diverse habitats, including hardwood forests, historic town lands, open and agricul- at Harpers Ferry include Meriwether Lewis’s tural fields, wetlands and riparian areas, archae- 1803 visit to purchase weapons and other hard- ological sites, historic structures, and cultural ware from the armory for his cross-country landscapes. Three other national parks pass expedition, the largest surrender of Union through Harpers Ferry: a section of the troops during the American Civil War, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Chesapeake establishment of one of the earliest integrated and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and colleges in the United States, and the second the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. conference of the Niagara Movement. The park’s wealth of cultural resources After years of lobbying by residents, includes the federal armory’s fire engine and Congress officially recognized Harpers Ferry as guard house that is now known as John Brown’s Fort. It was within this building that HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL John Brown and his men sought shelter during PARK AT A GLANCE their failed raid in 1859. Most of the other armory buildings, which supplied arms and metalwork to a host of clients that included • Location: Parklands fall within West Virginia, Maryland, and Meriwether Lewis and the Corps of Discovery, Virginia, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac did not survive the Civil War. The ruins of Rivers. many of them now lie buried beneath 1890s • Year of establishment: 1944 railroad track embankments. Another impor- tant historic structure is the Lockwood House, • Park size: Authorized boundary encompasses 3,745 acres; an early government building that later became about 3,645 are currently federally owned and under Park home to Storer College, one of the nation’s first Service jurisdiction. 3 integrated colleges.

• Annual number of visitors: 249,908 in 2007 ark The park’s cultural landscapes include the early industrial center of Virginius Island, Camp • Premier cultural resources: Harpers Ferry National Historical Hill, the Lower Town district, and the battlefield Park preserves landscapes that include the Civil War battle- where Confederate and Union troops squared field and the historic Lower Town area; numerous historic off in 1862, ending with the largest Union structures, including John Brown’s Fort and the Lockwood surrender of the war. The park’s museum and House; and a variety of museum artifacts relating to the archives are extensive and contain items such as town’s early industrial period, John Brown’s Raid, the Civil

the John Brown family Bible; original weapons War, and the area’s African-American history. erry National Historical P and equipment made in or used at Harpers • Special natural resources: Harpers Ferry hosts rare plant and Ferry; Storer College library books; and period animal species as well as uncommon vegetative habitats (i.e., industrial equipment and tools. Harpers F limestone red-cedar glades and low-elevation montane Harpers Ferry National Historical Park also forests). The park’s limestone red-cedar glades are small, preserves important natural resources that consisting of two parcels of less than an acre in size, and four include several dozen species of state-listed rare areas, approximately 10 acres total, that have the potential to or endangered plants, such as limestone be restored to this habitat type. The park’s other rare plant adder’s-tongue (Ophioglossum engelmannii), habitats are the low-elevation montane forests anchored by fringeleaf wild petunia (Reullia humilis), and eastern hemlock trees. broadleaf ironweed (Vernonia glauca)—which are all found within the park’s limestone red- • Recreational activities: Visitors to Harpers Ferry National cedar glade ecosystems. The park also features Historical Park may tour the park on guided ranger walks, historic views from Jefferson Rock and from the hike some of the park’s 18 miles of trails, view more than 150 cliffs on Maryland and Loudoun Heights. historic structures, and learn more about the history of the Thomas Jefferson visited the rock outcropping area via interpretive waysides and exhibits. Local lodging, that now bears his name in 1783, observing restaurants, and shops serve park visitors and provide for that the view was “stupendous and worth a their needs. voyage across the Atlantic.” Today Jefferson Rock is one of the park’s most recognized and visited natural historic resources. Park staff work with local officials, conservation groups, and other stakeholders to preserve from devel- opment the scenic views from Jefferson Rock and other vantage points. Note: When interpreting the scores for resource conditions, recognize that critical information upon which the ratings are based is not always available. This limits data interpretation to some extent. For Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, 100 percent of the cultural resource infor- mation was available and 72 percent of the information required by the natural resource methodology was available.

RESOURCE CATEGORY CURRENT

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Overall conditions 83 GOOD Archaeology 83 4 Cultural Landscapes 80 Ethnography (Peoples and Cultures) N/A

ark Historic Structures 82 History 83 Museum Collection and Archives 85

RATINGS SCALE 0–35 36–60 61–80 81–90 91–100

CRITICAL POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT

NATURAL RESOURCES erry National Historical P

Overall conditions 75 FAIR Environmental and Biotic Measures 79

Harpers F Biotic Impacts and Stressors 71 Air 83 Water 86 Soils 80 Ecosystems Measures 69 Species Composition and Condition 67 Ecosystem Extent and Function 69

RATINGS SCALE 0–35 36–60 61–80 81–90 91–100

CRITICAL POOR FAIR GOOD EXCELLENT

The findings in this report do not necessarily reflect past or current park management. Many factors that affect resource conditions are a result of both human and natural influences over long periods of times, in many cases pre-dating the park’s creation. The intent of the Center for State of the Parks is not to evaluate National Park Service staff performance, but to document the present status of park resources and determine which actions can be taken to protect them in the future. RATINGS parks NPCA has assessed to date; just one other In recognition of the important historical and park assessed by the Center for State of the natural resources protected within Harpers Parks has received this same score for cultural Ferry National Historical Park, the National resource conditions (Andrew Johnson National Parks Conservation Association’s Center for Historic Site in Tennessee). Overall, Harpers State of the Parks conducted an assessment to Ferry’s cultural resources are well protected and determine current conditions of the park’s well interpreted. Challenges to the park’s resources. The scores for cultural resources are cultural resources include a lack of adequate based on the results of indicator questions that on-site storage for the museum collection and reflect the National Park Service’s own Cultural archives; a need for archaeological surveys, Resource Management Guideline and other poli- cultural landscape documentation, and historic cies related to cultural and historical resources. resource studies; and an overall lack of funding 5 Ratings for natural resources were assigned and staff. through an evaluation of park research and Current overall conditions of Harpers ark monitoring data. See the “Appendix” for more Ferry’s natural resources rated a “fair” score of information on NPCA’s Center for State of the 75 out of 100. Natural resource concerns Parks comprehensive assessment methodology. include incompatible adjacent land develop- Based on the Center for State of the Parks ment; non-native invasive plant species within assessment, overall conditions of the park’s park habitats; steep slopes susceptible to known cultural resources rated a “good” score erosion and failure; and forest damage from

of 83 out of 100. Harpers Ferry’s cultural diseases and pests. erry National Historical P resources received the highest score of the 56

Harpers Ferry Harpers F National Historical Park’s cultural land- scapes include Civil War battlefields that preserve natural resources and offer visitors the opportu-

MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE nity to walk in the footsteps of soldiers. School House Ridge (pictured) was Stonewall Jackson’s main battle line during the 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry.

KEY FINDINGS this has resulted in the bare minimum of services for staff and visitors. The number • Adjacent land use concerns are a top and complexity of the park’s historic priority for the park. The area surround- resources, and the recent acquisition of ing the park is rapidly developing and new areas such as School House Ridge this construction threatens the park’s South, result in a large workload and not historical viewscape, impacts ecosys- enough staff. The park has obtained tems along park borders, and affects the funds to restore many structures, but park’s ability to interpret 19th-century without an adequately funded facility historical events. A 2004 boundary management division, the restored struc- 6 expansion allowed the park to acquire tures deteriorate and the investment key adjacent lands. The park has also made in them is not maximized. negotiated conservation easements, but

ark • Rare plant populations at Harpers Ferry several priority areas remain outside the are among the park’s most significant park’s boundary and are at risk of inap- natural resources. Several researchers propriate development. These efforts to have recommended monitoring of the preserve viewsheds and protect ecosys- rare plants, particularly the state-listed tems consume a large portion of the species and those colonies threatened natural resource staff’s time and funding. by invasive species, but the park lacks • Harpers Ferry National Historical Park the funds needed to do this work. Some erry National Historical P suffers from an overall lack of cultural and of the rare plant species represent the natural resource staff. The cultural land- only recorded local populations of those scape division and archaeology program plants. Aggressive invasive plants are Harpers F each consist of just one staff member, among the most serious threats to rare and the park’s entire natural resources and sensitive plant populations, particu- program has only one full-time larly in edge communities (e.g., along employee. The park’s business plan railroads, canals, trails, and highways). recommends the addition of nine full- • Harpers Ferry’s cultural resources need time cultural resource employees and further documentation, including nine full-time natural resource employ- archaeological surveys, cultural land- ees. Harpers Ferry has also recently been scape studies (especially in recently unable to fill staff positions, including acquired parklands), and historic several maintenance positions and a full- resource studies. To date, archaeologists time park ranger position, due to funding have surveyed about 40 percent of the shortfalls. A geographic information park’s total acreage for archaeological systems position has been unfilled since resources; just two of the park’s 15 iden- 2001. It has been re-listed as a lands tified cultural landscapes have been management assistant and will soon be documented through cultural landscape filled. This position will help the park reports; and newly acquired parts of the address internal management responsi- park, such as School House Ridge South bilities and external lands issues. and Murphy Farm, need to be further • According to the park’s business plan, explored through historic resource the facility management division is under studies. These surveys and studies will staffed by 15.5 positions. In many cases, provide park staff with more complete information about the park’s resources, One component of managing this threat helping them better protect those is to monitor the condition of the park’s resources and interpret them for visitors. culverts and the effectiveness of the drainage systems. These considerations • Immigrants made up a large part of the have received little management atten- workforce at Harpers Ferry’s armory tion and an inventory of the park’s during the early 19th century, yet little is culverts and their condition is needed. known about them. A social history study would provide insight into their • Gypsy moths threaten the park’s forests lives and allow for more comprehensive and the species they support by defoli- interpretation of the people who lived ating trees and shrubs. The Park Service and worked in Harpers Ferry. To provide works with the U.S. Forest Service to 7 a more complete story of the area’s survey gypsy moths. An aerial survey in

human history, the park needs to June 2007 identified 215 acres of forest ark research early American Indian history. that had been extensively defoliated by gypsy moths. A subsequent report • Park staff recognize the need to improve found the gypsy moth population to be the park’s storage capacity for its healthy, building, and capable of museum collection and archives. causing up to 1,615 acres of heavy defo- Currently, much of the collection is liation during 2008. The park treated stored off-site at various facilities, and about 2,500 acres with a biological pesti- the storage and exhibition spaces at the erry National Historical P cide and a viral insecticide in early May, park do not meet museum standards. and a recent inventory indicates the The park’s curatorial staff and volunteers treatment was nearly 100 percent are packing the museum collection for Harpers F successful in reducing the gypsy moth The park stores some any relocation, and 20 cartons of artifacts populations. The viral insecticide is items from its are slated to be moved to the Park museum collection in specific to gypsy moths and does not Service’s National Capital Region temporary locations harm native butterflies and moths. museum near Washington, D.C., in 2009. such as the Shipley About 200 acres that were not treated in School, which is In 2006, the director of the National 2008 might need to be treated in 2009. considered an inade- Capital Region approved plans for a quate facility because facility that would store artifacts from • Support from gateway communities and it lacks environmental several area national parks (Antietam preservation organizations has been crit- controls and protec- National Battlefield, Manassas National ical in helping the park protect tion from the elements. Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, resources. Gateway communities see Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National the park as a partner and an asset that Historical Park, and Monocacy National boosts local economies and contributes Battlefield). However, there are no funds to the communities’ quality of life. Many available at this time for such a facility. community leaders have been pivotal in advocating for compatible adjacent land • Several areas within the park are suscep- use, boundary expansions, and tible to slope failure: cliffs that have increases in funding. been made too steep, have been mined, MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE or have had structures built on them. These areas are particularly susceptible to failure during and after heavy rains. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Harpers Ferry staff have worked extremely Developers sought to rezone 410 acres of hard to improve the interpretation of the historically significant land nearly park’s resources for visitors, including surrounded by Harpers Ferry National installing additional interpretive waysides Historical Park to allow for intense that offer visitors the chance to learn commercial development. County officials about the park. Staff recently built new ultimately rejected the rezoning. The trails throughout the park to provide property remains at risk until a solution access to important areas, such as the compatible with park values is reached. battlefield where Confederate and Union 8 • The park has participated in an innovative forces fought in 1862. A new interpretive peregrine falcon reintroduction and track- walking trail to the School House Ridge

ark ing program in conjunction with The South area opened on National Trails Day College of William and Mary, the U.S. Fish in June 2007, and is the result of collabo- and Wildlife Service, Maryland ration among many staff who worked long Department of Resources, and Dominion hours to complete the job by Trails Day. Power. Between 2001 and 2005, 29 birds • In the spring of 2007, the park reopened were released within the park with the the historic Baltimore and Ohio Harpers hope that some will return as breeding Ferry Train Station following a three-year adults. The park needs funds to continue erry National Historical P restoration that entailed establishing a the project. new building foundation; reconstructing • Natural resource staff recently installed a the tower on the east end; making the Harpers F bat gate at John Brown Cave that allows entire building handicapped accessible; bats to pass through, but bars entry to installing new restrooms; rebuilding the larger animals and humans. Staff installed fireplace and chimney in the east waiting the gate to protect fragile cave resources. room; reestablishing the historic slate Harpers Ferry’s roof; and restoring the paint scheme to its • The park has been in the process of diverse past is inter- 1890s period. The fully restored station updating its general management plan preted through includes an interpretive exhibit on the for several years. A draft plan was released exhibits like this history of the train station. in August 2008, and public comments display of machinery were accepted during the last quarter of used to manufacture • Park staff work with conservation and weapons. 2008. The Park Service is in the process of historical preservation organizations and finalizing the updated general manage- local stakeholders to preserve historic ment plan. It is scheduled for completion views, such as those from Jefferson Rock in 2009. and from the cliffs on Maryland and RYAN GRAHAM Loudoun Heights, from adjacent develop- • The Park Service is working with local ment. By acquiring adjacent land and tourism offices and as part of four-state opposing development that is incompati- committee to plan a variety of events in ble with park goals, park staff and 2009 to commemorate the 150th anniver- supporters have been successful in their sary of John Brown’s historic raid. See efforts. For example, in 2007 they success- www.nps.gov/hafe for details. fully lobbied against a significant develop- ment threat on the park’s borders. THE HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ASSESSMENT

9 ark erry National Historical P Harpers F MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

CULTURAL RESOURCES— “good” condition. Many factors contributed to Anthony Memorial NATION’S HISTORY ON DISPLAY AT this score. For example, the park interprets its Hall—the centerpiece of Storer College (one HARPERS FERRY history well for visitors through more than 150 of the nation’s first wayside exhibits, living history exhibits, and an integrated colleges Harpers Ferry National Historical Park scored exhibit in the newly restored train station. In when it opened in an overall 83 out of 100 for cultural resource addition, park staff, nonprofit organizations, 1867)—is among the conditions, including history, historic struc- and local stakeholders have succeeded in park’s numerous historic structures. tures, cultural landscapes, archaeology, and protecting most of the park’s historic viewsheds Today it houses museum collection and archives. A score of 83 from development. Mather Training indicates that the park’s cultural resources are in Key challenges at Harpers Ferry include a Center. John Brown’s raid on the federal armory and arsenal in 1859 was one of the most significant events that took place at Harpers Ferry. This sketch by Porte Crayon shows COURTESY OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE the U.S. Marines storming the armory’s engine house, which ended the raid. After the raid the building 10 became known as John Brown’s Fort. ark erry National Historical P

Harpers F lack of planning documents and staff, contin- Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, which ued threats from adjacent development that underwent a sweeping renovation and expan- would affect the park’s viewshed and cultural sion between 1845 and 1854. The armory’s landscapes, and inadequate museum storage workforce grew along with the buildings, and exhibit spaces. increasing from 25 workers in 1802 to about 400 in 1859. With the completion of the HISTORY—PLANNING DOCUMENTS AND Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in 1833 and the STAFF WOULD BOOST RESOURCE arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line MANAGEMENT the following year, the town quickly became the The Harpers Ferry area has a rich history of area’s transportation hub. human use, beginning as a seasonal home for One of the most notable events to occur at American Indians. Permanent European settle- Harpers Ferry was John Brown’s raid. On ment of the area began in 1732 and accelerated October 16, 17, and 18, 1859, abolitionist John around 1747 when Robert Harper took over Brown and his men seized the armory and operation of the Shenandoah ferry, which arsenal, in the hopes that by arming free and carried people across the river. The town of enslaved African Americans, he could further Harpers Ferry was eventually founded on land the abolition movement. Brown and his men that Robert Harper owned. President George barricaded themselves inside the fire engine Washington selected Harpers Ferry as the site for house at the armory, remaining there until a the nation’s second federal armory in 1794, and group of U.S. Marines under the command of construction began in 1799. Many types of Colonel Robert E. Lee stormed the building and weapons were produced at the United States forced them to surrender. When the dust settled, 17 people had lost their lives and John Brown history—the second conference of the Niagara and six of his men had been arrested on charges Movement. W.E.B. Du Bois and other promi- of murder, conspiring with slaves to rebel, and nent African Americans established the Niagara treason against the State of Virginia. Brown’s Movement to fight racial segregation and Jim trial lasted just five days. He was found guilty on Crow laws. The group’s ideas and goals later led all charges and was sentenced to death. Brown to the establishment of the National was hanged on December 2, 1859. His raid Association for the Advancement of Colored played a pivotal role in the events leading up to People (NAACP) in 1909. the Civil War, as any hope of a peaceful resolu- Harpers Ferry has witnessed a rich and varied tion between abolitionists and proponents of history, and since the park was established, it slavery vanished. has extensively expanded both in terms of Following the secession of Southern states acreage and the scope of interpretation to 11 and the firing upon Fort Sumter, South preserve as much of this history as possible. Carolina, on April 12, 1861, the Civil War When Harpers Ferry National Historical ark quickly came to Harpers Ferry. Union soldiers Monument was established in 1944, the park set fire to the armory just six days later to keep it included fewer than 1,500 acres. Harpers Ferry’s out of the hands of the Confederate Army. As a authorized boundaries now encompass 3,745 result of its strategic location providing access to acres, having added more than 1,200 acres since the Shenandoah Valley, Chesapeake and Ohio 2000. The park now interprets six major Canal, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, themes: industry, natural history, transporta-

Confederate and Union forces fought for tion, John Brown, the Civil War, and African- erry National Historical P control of Harpers Ferry, and the town changed American history. hands eight times during the war. In 1862, the To protect and interpret the area’s history,

Confederate Army crossed the Potomac to Harpers F engage Union troops in the north for the first Abolitionist John Brown (pictured here) time. General Robert E. Lee split his forces and and a group of men sent 28,000 troops with General Thomas attempted to seize Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson to meet some the armory and 14,000 Union troops stationed at Harpers Ferry. arsenal at Harpers The fighting lasted for three days and ended Ferry in 1859, result- ing in a standoff that with a decisive Confederate victory and the lasted three days. The largest surrender of Union troops during the men ultimately failed Civil War. The park now protects most of the to secure the armory, battlefields associated with this struggle. and Brown was hanged for his Harpers Ferry continued to witness history involvement. after the end of the Civil War, with the founding of Storer College, one of the nation’s first inte- grated colleges, in 1867. New England Freewill Baptist missionaries founded the college prima- rily to educate former slaves, but it was open to students of all races and both genders, as dictated by the college’s primary donor, John Storer of Maine. About 40 years after the found- ing of Storer College, Harpers Ferry hosted another significant event in African-American NATIONAL PARK SERVICE park staff need numerous management plans years, the budget and resource management and studies. The park is currently in the staffing allotment has not kept pace. The park process of completing a general management would benefit from the addition of a park plan, its most comprehensive and important historian and a cultural resource management planning document. A park business plan was specialist to focus on all of the historical completed in 2003, and an administrative aspects of the park and guide research. Specific history was completed in 2005. The park also areas that require research, documentation, has historic resource studies that explore and planning include many of the park’s several areas, including business enterprises historic structures, cultural landscapes, and and commercial development in the Lower newly acquired properties. Additional research Town area, Storer College, the train station, the is also needed regarding the lives of the early 12 armory, the Lockwood House, Maryland 19th-century immigrants who worked in the Heights, Loudoun Heights, and Short Hill. armory, as little is known about them, as well The historic Lower ark Town area in Harpers Staff have identified several additional cultural as the lifeways of the early Native Americans of Ferry is one of the resources that need historic resource studies, the area. Gaining this information will allow park’s 15 recognized including the newly acquired areas of School park staff to provide a more comprehensive cultural landscapes. House Ridge South and the Murphy Farm. interpretation of resources for visitors. Well-preserved build- Staff have requested funding for these studies. ings help staff inter- CULTURAL LANDSCAPES— pret the early history While the park’s boundaries have expanded of the area. to protect critically important lands over the ENCROACHING DEVELOPMENT

erry National Historical P THREATENS PARK RESOURCES Cultural landscapes demonstrate how people have shaped and been shaped by their

Harpers F surroundings. Harpers Ferry National

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Historical Park has identified 15 cultural land- scapes, which vary in their scope, significance, and condition. Some of the landscapes are important for their ties to the area’s early industrial history, several relate to the Civil War, and others have significant connections to African-American history. In order to protect the park’s cultural land- scapes, staff need plans, studies, and reports to guide their management decisions. Currently, the park has cultural landscape reports for just three of its landscapes, though reports and inventories are currently under way or planned for several other cultural landscapes. The park’s cultural landscape program is comprised of just one staff person, a landscape architect, so staff from the Park Service’s Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation and the National Capital Regional Office provide the park with cultural landscape documentation and research. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is

charged with maintaining its landscapes to ADJACENT DEVELOPMENT THREATENS reflect their appearance during a specific PARK RESOURCES historical period of time—the 19th and early 20th centuries. Battlefields are maintained by Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is located within the fastest park staff and through agricultural leasing to growing region in West Virginia. Between April 2000 and July give visitors a sense of where the Civil War 2006, the population of Jefferson County, West Virginia, where fighting occurred. Cultural resource and most of the park lies, grew by 19.6 percent, and Loudoun County, natural resource staff collaborate with one Virginia, where part of the park lies, consistently ranks as one of another to sustain the historic integrity of the fastest growing counties in the United States. As a result of these landscapes, efforts that are complicated this growth, residential and commercial development has threat- by natural forces (e.g., erosion and weather- ened the park for more than 20 years. Recently, developers ing). Recent examples of cross-disciplinary sought to rezone a critical 410-acre parcel that is nearly 13 cooperation include removing vegetation that surrounded by the park to allow for intense commercial develop- was not present during the Civil War to ment. Such development would mar historic viewsheds and ark preserve the historic viewscape and lines of compromise the park’s ability to interpret historic events. After sight and the construction of 18 new hiking opposition from park staff, conservation groups, and local stake- trails. One trail now provides access to School holders, Jefferson County officials denied the rezoning of the House Ridge South, which Stonewall Jackson area, which halted the development. The future of this land held with his troops during the Battle of remains in question, however, and the park is still at risk until a Harpers Ferry. His position on the ridge final solution that protects park values is found.

completed the Confederate encirclement of The views from several high points within the park are erry National Historical P the Union garrison and helped ensure the extremely important resources. To further protect these historic Union surrender. views from being marred from residential and commercial devel-

The most pressing threats to Harpers Ferry’s opment, staff have worked to acquire many parcels of land. But Harpers F landscapes are the residential and commercial there are still several plans to build residential and commercial development encroaching on the park’s buildings on or near the Harpers Ferry battlefield. The largest boundaries (see “Adjacent Development looming threat is the potential development of the Old Standard Threatens Park Resources”), a lack of funding Quarry site at the southern extent of Bolivar Heights (see photo for management plans, and flooding in the on page 21). This property is visible from the trails and wayside Lower Town portion of the park. A lack of exhibits at School House Ridge and from the scenic overlook at planning documents makes it difficult for staff Murphy Farm. Proposals for development on this site have to manage the park’s cultural landscapes ranged widely from 2 million square feet of commercial space, to beyond the day-to-day decisions, while flood- a hotel and conference center, to a museum. Until a solution for ing that occurs about every 12 to 15 years this property that protects park values is solidified this critical land within the Lower Town portion of the park remains at risk. Also of concern because of their potential to threatens John Brown’s Fort and several blocks detract from historic viewsheds are proposed cell towers and of museums and historic buildings that now emergency communications facilities adjacent to the park. Staff contain interpretive exhibits. are currently reviewing proposals for two cell towers and one emergency communications tower. ALAN SPEARS

14 ark MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE The Lockwood House, originally built in 1847, housed the paymaster for the United States Armory, was the headquarters for Union General Henry Lockwood during the Civil War, and was later used by Storer College. Today the exterior of the building has been rehabilitated, but the interior remains in need of restoration. erry National Historical P

HISTORIC STRUCTURES—NATIONALLY was first dismantled in 1891 and transported to

Harpers F SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL RESOURCES Chicago to be displayed at the World’s PRESERVED Columbian Exposition. After years of lobbying Historic structures are integral cultural resources and fundraising by residents and interested at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The parties, the building was moved again in 1895 park currently has 135 structures on its list of back to the Harpers Ferry area, where it was classified structures, an inventory of significant rebuilt on the Murphy Farm about three miles historic structures. The park plans to update this outside of town. Storer College purchased the list with about 50 more structures in 2009. Of fort in 1909 and moved the structure to its the 135 currently listed structures, 57 are in campus in Harpers Ferry. The Park Service “good” condition, 66 are in “fair” condition, acquired the fort in 1960 and moved it once and 12 are in “poor” condition. Generally, again in 1968 to where it sits today, about 100 those structures located outside the park’s feet from its original location in Lower Town. floodplains are in “good” condition. Despite its age and cross-country travels, the fort The most visited historic structure at the park is in good condition. The park’s new general is the fire engine and guard house where John management plan proposes a study to examine Brown and his followers barricaded themselves the feasibility of moving the John Brown Fort to and several hostages during their attempted raid its original location on the armory grounds. on the Harpers Ferry armory. This building, now Park staff contracted Lumus Construction referred to as John Brown’s Fort, was the only and Facilities Services of Woburn, Massachusetts, armory structure to survive the Civil War. to complete restoration of the Harpers Ferry Because of its important history, the building Train Station, built in 1894 to serve the has been moved several times since the raid. It Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The station had fallen into disrepair, and in 1999 the Great The park employs a historic architect to American Station Foundation recognized it on oversee the management of its historic build- its list of the Top 10 Most Endangered Stations in ings. The historic architect works closely with America. Station restoration began in the the park’s landscape architect, facility manager, summer of 2005 and cost $2.2 million, paid for and interpretation staff. One strategy for with federal funds and a state grant obtained by keeping historic structures in good condition is the town of Harpers Ferry. The company to renovate and adaptively reuse them as completed the restoration and the park administrative offices, museum and visitor reopened the building to the public in the spring center space, and employee housing. Currently, of 2007. The park has an agreement with the the park uses 78 historic structures. town for community use of the station. Other historic structures in the park are also ARCHAEOLOGY—ADDITIONAL 15 in need of restoration, as well as routine main- RESOURCES WAITING TO BE tenance. Staff have identified a number of proj- DISCOVERED AND PRESERVED ark ects that are needed to boost historic structure Harpers Ferry National Historical Park protects protection, including restoration of the a wealth of archaeological resources. According Lockwood House (home of the armory paymas- to the most recent assessment released in 2007, ter, then headquarters of Union General Henry 137 of the 157 sites listed in the Archeological Virginus Island was Lockwood, and then home to the Storer Sites Management Information System (a data- home to numerous commercial enter- Normal School, a.k.a. Storer College), new base of archaeological sites in the National Park prises and industrial coats of paint for historic structures; and repairs System) are in “good” condition, 17 are in “fair” facilities during the erry National Historical P to historic structures to allow visitor access. condition, and only three sites are in “poor” late 18th and early Severe flooding by the Shenandoah and condition. Harpers Ferry’s archaeological sites 19th centuries.

Potomac Rivers has destroyed many of the include waterpower and industrial sites; prehis- Battered by years of Harpers F floods, many of these historic structures in the Lower Town portion toric sites; Civil War fortifications and encamp- buildings have been of the park, leaving them in ruins. Two floods ments; the remains of historic roads; and reduced to their foun- in 1996 forced the park to close some areas domestic sites such as homes. dations. and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on emergency mitigation. Remaining struc- tures in the Lower Town, many of which are the park’s oldest, are still in danger from flood- ing. In an effort to lessen the impact of floods, park staff have reinforced buildings and devel- oped plans to safely evacuate staff and price-

less museum objects. Stabilizing the Potomac MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE shoreline would provide better protection for historic structures and other resources. Cultural resources affected include the upper and lower armory grounds, the hydroelectric plant, Potomac Canal, and canal headgates. This stabilization and protection would reveal, through archaeological research and restora- tion of buildings and ruins, the significance of the 19th-century Harpers Ferry industrial complex known as the Harpers Ferry Armory. A concentration of the park’s archaeological Additional threats to the park’s archaeologi- sites are on Virginius Island, which is located cal resources include the remoteness of some of between the banks of the Shenandoah Canal the resources; flooding; a lack of baseline data and the Shenandoah River, near the Lower Town for some areas; inadequate funding to control section of Harpers Ferry. Virginius Island was invasive non-native plants that can obscure and home to numerous commercial enterprises, damage resources; and development on nearby including a tannery, a sawmill, an iron foundry, lands that could bury or damage archaeological and a cotton mill that later became a flour mill. artifacts that would be useful for the park to Park Service inter- It also contained many homes of people who interpret the history of Harpers Ferry. preter Dennis Frye worked at the armory and at these various busi- The park employs an archaeologist who is describes the nesses. The businesses and homes are now ruins, assisted by several term positions that are filled 16 Second Niagara Movement’s 1906 devastated by the numerous floods that have depending on available funding. Staff have barefooted pilgrim- occurred in the area since the structures were inventoried archaeological resources in 40 ark age from Storer built. Today the park preserves the ruins and percent of the park, and they would like to College to John interprets them through on-site exhibits and survey even more area, as every inch of the park Brown’s Fort, then educational programs in schools. has witnessed historical events. Most recent located on the Murphy Farm. The Poachers threaten to carry away the archaeo- archaeological investigations focused on the site fort’s foundation has logical resources at Harpers Ferry National of the lower armory grounds. During this three- since been rehabili- Historical Park. Law enforcement rangers year project, two structures and surrounding tated. An archaeo- continuously patrol the park, but they cannot landscape features associated with the industrial logical survey of

erry National Historical P have a presence everywhere all the time. As site were excavated. Well-preserved foundation Murphy Farm in scheduled to be often as they can, staff apprehend offenders and and interior features were recorded and a large completed soon. prosecute them. and diverse collection of artifacts was retrieved.

Harpers F Staff are currently working on completing analysis and preparing a report of the findings. A survey of the Murphy Farm is scheduled for

JAMES NATIONS fiscal year 2011, if funds are approved. The farm was the location where General Ambrose Powell Hill’s men performed a critical flanking maneuver during the 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry, which allowed the Confederate Army to surround the town and capture the Union forces. The Murphy Farm was also the tempo- rary location of John Brown’s Fort before it was moved to the Storer College campus in 1909. A collection of material donated to the park by a previous owner of the farm indicates a strong probability for discovering American Indian use of this site. The Park Service acquired manage- ment of the farm in 2002.

museum andarchiv small staffsizeandlargenumberofitemsinthe assisted by volunteers andinterns. Despitethe and amuseumspecialistwhoareoccasionally Harpers Ferry’s industrialroots. African-American historytoCivilWar events to These exhibitscover topicsranging from other originalobjectsaswell asreproductions. threat, HarpersF displa another threattomuseumartifacts thatareon ity, fire, andsecurity protection. Floodingis many donotprovide adequateclimate, humid- spaces intheparkarenotconsolidated,and storage spacefortheseartifacts. Available storage archiv they strive topreserve andprotectmuseum other itemsbecausetheparklacksanarchivist. loged). Theyarenotcatalogedasquickly loged items(84percentofarchives areuncata- documents makeupthemajorityofuncata- of themuseumcollectioniscataloged.Archival after theyarediscovered, andabout96percent discovered itemsarecleanedandcataloged soon management documentsareup-to-date, newly throughout theparkdispla exhibits housedwithin13historicstructures the raidandsubsequenttrial.T family Bible, whichisdisplayed withitemsfrom museum artifactattheparkisJohnBrown the mostwell-known andfrequentlyvisited period industrialequipmentandtools. Perhaps ings andprintsofthetown andcitizens; Storer Collegelibrarybooksandarchives; paint- Harpers Ferry; originalmapsandphotographs; weapons andequipmentmadeinorusedat more than600,000artifacts, includingoriginal expansive museumcollectionthatcontains Harpers Ferry NationalHistoricalPark hasan EXPANSIVE AND COLLECTIONS DIVERSE A MUSEUM COLLECTION AND has plannedevacuation routesforstaff and RCHIVES—PARK PRESERVES The park’s museumstaffincludesacurator The mostpressingconcernfacingparkstaffas y throughoutthepark.T al collectionsistheabsenceofadequate erry NationalHistoricalP al collections y andinterpretman w o mitigatethis enty-one other , important ark y pretive themes. documented andisoneofthepark’s maininter- The area’ to abolitionandtheCivilRightsMovement. Historical P raph assessment duetothelackofanofficialethnog- Association didnotratethiscategoryin While theNationalP applies scientificstudytohumancultures. Ethnography istheareaofanthropologythat WITNESSED HUMAN HISTORYETHNOGRAPHY—RICH facility atthistime. However, therearenofundsavailable forthis other parksintheNationalCapitalRegion. Ferry collections, aswell ascollectionsfrom storage facilitythatwould housetheHarpers proposal toconstructamuseumandcollections and safeguards. Thereisalsoamoreambitious storage spacewiththeproperclimatecontrols The parkhasrequestedfundsforatemporary priceless museumartifactsinthecaseoffloods. stages ofAfrican-Americanhistory not currentlyexplorethishistory. fied andthepark’s interpretive program does although specificgroupshave notbeenidenti- presence intheareapriortoEuropeancontact, that AmericanIndiansestablishedaseasonal Americans. Archaeologicalexplorationssuggest park—American IndiansandAfrican people withtraditionalassociationstothe interpret forvisitors. history thatparkstaffresearch,explore, and Harpers Ferry hasplayed aroleinseveral The parkhasidentifiedtwo majorgroupsof y programatHarpersF s African-Americanhistoryiswell ark, theareadoesha arks Conserv ve arichhuman erry National , fromsla ation v ery the dr display forvisitorsat items thatare on includes avarietyof museum collection The park’s expansive y goodstore.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 17 Harpers Ferry National Historical Park RYAN GRAHAM

18 ark erry National Historical P Harpers F

Recent studies indi- NATURAL RESOURCES— invasive species on native plants and animals. cate that Harpers PARK PROTECTS HISTORIC VIEWS The park was primarily established to Ferry’s white-tailed AND RARE ANIMAL AND PLANT protect cultural resources and commemorate deer population is overabundant. SPECIES historical events, and as a result a large portion of the park’s resources are dedicated The National Parks Conservation Association’s to this work. The park employs about 100 full- assessment rated the overall condition of time staff, but the entire natural resources natural resources at Harpers Ferry National program has only one full-time employee. Historical Park a score of 75 out of 100, which This staffing shortfall prevents the park from ranks park resources in “fair” condition. monitoring and managing threatened and Prominent factors influencing the ratings endangered plants and animals and their include the fragmented nature of parklands and habitats; addressing pests and non-native the connected issue of encroaching adjacent species; continuing the peregrine falcon rein- development, diseases and pests affecting forest troduction program; and monitoring air and trees, water-quality concerns, and the effects of water quality. LAND USE HISTORY—LANDSCAPES Residents built bridges, canals, and tunnels to ALTERED BY LOGGING, foster development, altering hydrology where it AGRICULTURE, MINING, AND was possible; today, the canals are naturally DEVELOPMENT reverting to wetland habitat. Archaeological evidence indicates that Both the Confederate and Union Armies American Indians used the Harpers Ferry region took an interest in the Harpers Ferry area seasonally for centuries before European settle- during the Civil War, and fighting took its toll ment began in the early 1700s. The area’s on both the landscape and the economy. natural resources and location along the Frequent bombardment destroyed much of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers later facili- town’s built environment, while logging inten- tated the development of Harpers Ferry into a sified, ravaging the area’s forests. Today most of busy industrial center and transportation hub the park is covered with second- or third- 19 by the mid-1800s. Logging for building materi- growth forest, and these areas are mostly als and for charcoal, agriculture, mining, and healthy, having strongly rebounded from this ark commercial development occurred, which historical damage. Harpers Ferry’s land- extensively altered Harpers Ferry’s natural land- The Park Service works to maintain the leasing program allows local farmers scape. For example, settlers mined cliff slopes to historical character of Harpers Ferry, rather than to rent parkland in allow for development and used the rock as attempt to restore natural ecosystems that places like Bolivar building material, contributing to the current would have been present prior to town develop- Heights (pictured). geological instability in the area. ment. The park achieves this goal by maintain- The program benefits the park by retaining The area’s topography and its location near ing historical land uses such as agriculture. The erry National Historical P historic viewscapes two large rivers prone to flooding helped dictate park established a land-leasing program in and continuing tradi- where development occurred, though floods 1999 and currently leases about 425 acres to tional agricultural still routinely damaged man-made structures. local farmers. The farmers pay a fee to plant uses. Harpers F STEVE LOWE/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE approved crops on the land and also agree to Their larvae prefer to feed on oak trees, but they mow the park’s open fields (e.g., Bolivar Heights will eat many other trees and shrubs, too, battlefield). causing extensive defoliation. Gypsy moths were first discovered in the area around Harpers Ferry PARK HABITATS—FACING NUMEROUS in 1975, and the park has monitored the species THREATS since 1981. Each autumn Park Service and U.S. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park encom- Forest Service staff survey moth populations. passes 3,745 acres of hardwood forest; flood- When these surveys indicate that the popula- plains and open valleys; steep cliffs; mowed tions are dense enough to cause moderate to fields; and wetland and riparian habitats in severe defoliation, staff prepare an environmen- West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Harpers tal assessment to explore mediation options. The 20 Ferry contains uncommon plant habitats, park applied aerial chemical treatments in 1984, including limestone red-cedar glades and low- 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 2001, and 2002. The ark elevation montane habitats, and these support a Forest Service has monitored the park’s vegeta- number of state-listed rare plant species. tion for gypsy moth damage annually since The vast majority of Harpers Ferry National 2002. An aerial survey conducted in 2007 Historical Park, more than 80 percent, is discovered heavy gypsy moth defoliation within comprised of mixed hardwood deciduous the park. In response, the park treated 2,500 upland forest, interspersed with parcels used for acres in May 2008, and surveys indicate the treat- agriculture and small areas of developed land. ment was nearly 100 percent effective in reduc-

erry National Historical P Pests and diseases that affect certain tree species ing gypsy moths. Areas not treated still harbor such as elms, butternuts, dogwoods, and elevated levels of gypsy moths, so the park will hemlocks are a concern to park staff. likely treat about 200 more acres in 2009.

Harpers F The primary forest pests of concern in the Woolly adelgids (Adelges tsugae), pests that area are gypsy moths. Gypsy moths (Lymantria specifically target eastern hemlock trees (Tsuga dispar) were brought to North America from Asia canadensis), have devastated the park’s in the late 1860s to start a silkworm industry. hemlocks. Surveys published in 2000 found

In 2006 developers illegally excavated a trench for utility pipes across the historic Perry NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Orchard, part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The developers own an easement but had not received a permit, and no archaeological surveys were completed prior to this action. Park advocates continue to petition the U.S. Department of Justice for an appro- priate response. 92 percent of the park’s hemlock trees were infested with wooly adelgids. More recent surveys have not been done. Harpers Ferry’s hemlock trees already constitute a small population, and the woolly adelgid threatens NATIONAL PARK SERVICE to completely extirpate the once-abundant hemlock tree from the park. Hemlocks provide shade as well as food and habitat for birds and small mammals. Thus, the loss of these trees has widespread ramifications for the ecological community they anchor. The woolly adelgid is not limited to Harpers Ferry; 21 it has also caused widespread hemlock mortality in other portions of the eastern ark United States, including parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park. The park is not treating the adelgid, partly because the park’s hemlock stands are small and also because funds for treating pests and falling. Park staff monitor at-risk slopes and Bolivar Heights runs and diseases are limited. have hired contractors to stabilize some rocks to south towards the Shenandoah River According to surveys published in 2000, keep them in place. erry National Historical P and faces potential approximately 75 percent of the park’s butter- The park contains several wetlands totaling development on a nut trees (Juglans cinerea) are afflicted with a about 100 acres, which are important habitats large former quarry perennial fungus (Sirococcus clavigignenti- for numerous wildlife species, especially reptiles site, known as Old Harpers F juglandacearum) that causes spreading branch and amphibians. The University of Maryland is Standard Quarry. This property is virtually and stem cankers that eventually girdle and in the process of producing a wetlands inven- surrounded by park- kill infected trees. Butternut is currently tory for Harpers Ferry. Floods affect the land. All features in considered a “species at risk” on the list of the wetlands periodically, and they are particularly this view are part of endangered and threatened plants under the sensitive to damage from visitor trampling and Harpers Ferry Endangered Species Act. West Virginia’s upstream pollution. The most significant National Historical Park, except the Natural Heritage Program lists the butternut as wetland in the park is an 8-acre patch of aban- lower forest ridge a very rare species vulnerable to extinction. doned man-made lake, created by an impound- beyond the open There is currently no known treatment or cure ment of the Shenandoah River. Another signifi- field–Old Standard for butternut canker. cant wetland area grew out of the abandoned Quarry. In addition to pests and diseases that affect Shenandoah Canal. Because of the fragmented park forests, steep slopes in the park are prone nature of these habitats, wildlife that use the to landslides and mudflows. Human activities park’s wetland areas must cross roads with such as logging and over-steepening of cliffs to regular vehicular traffic, which exposes them to make way for building construction have injury or death from collisions with vehicles. increased the potential for slope failures, which could result in serious damage to valley slopes, damage to park and private property, and possi- bly human fatalities. Portions of Jefferson Rock, one of the park’s most prized and visited natural features, are also in danger of breaking away PLANT COMMUNITIES AND PARK WILDLIFE—RARE AND THREATENED SPECIES RESIDE IN THE PARK Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s wealth of plant and tree species has been extensively studied. The park contains at least 561 vascular plant species. While there are no federally listed MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE species present in the park, 26 species are listed by West Virginia, Maryland, or Virginia as endangered, threatened, or potentially threat- ened, including swamp loosestrife (Decodon 22 verticillatus), lobed spleenwort (Asplenium pinnatifidum), and Short’s aster (Aster shortii). ark There are also many species of concern (i.e., globally or locally rare or threatened) within park boundaries. Monitoring and protecting the park’s popu- lations of native plants is a high priority both because the plants themselves have value and because some of them provide habitat for

erry National Historical P threatened wildlife. For example, the park’s toothwort plants (Dentaria spp.) support the West Virginia white butterfly (Pieris virginiensis),

Harpers F listed as threatened by both Maryland and Virginia. This species was once common but is now in serious decline. The population drop is attributed to both habitat destruction and the success of invasive non-native garlic mustard plants (Alliaria petiolata), which can quickly colonize an area and displace native toothwort plants. West Virginia white butterflies will lay their eggs on garlic mustard plants, but the plants are toxic to the larvae that hatch. Garlic mustard and other invasive non- native plant species pose a problem because they compete with native species for space and The great blue heron is one of Harpers Ferry nutrients. A 2002 non-native plant survey (the National Historical Park’s 174 known species of birds. park’s most recent) identified 207 non-native plant species within the park. Transportation routes around and within the park (e.g., the rail- road, canals, trails, and roads) have facilitated the transfer and establishment of non-native plants. The Park Service’s National Capital Region Network exotic plant management team monitors these non-natives and has been treat- ing and re-treating non-native species that hopes that the juveniles would return to the encroach upon native and rare plants. The park park to nest and breed. Six of these falcons were could use additional funds to develop and fitted with radio transmitters to track their implement a general policy of eradication. movements through a partnership with the The park’s wildlife has been studied less FalconTrak project. The park closes one area, the extensively than its plants, but species invento- Maryland Heights Peregrine Falcon Restoration ries note that the park hosts about 36 mammal, Site, during the early summer when the young 14 amphibian, 18 reptile, 43 fish, and 174 bird falcons would be present to avoid any distur- species. Notably, Harpers Ferry is home to one bances to the birds. To date, however, none of of the most diverse populations of butterflies the released falcons have returned to the park to and skippers in the tri-state area. While the park nest, and a lack of funding and staff has does not house any federally listed threatened prevented the park from releasing any falcons 23 or engendered wildlife species, it does host a since 2005. number of state-listed rare or threatened Significant threats to the park’s wildlife come ark species. These include the peregrine falcon from roads that run throughout the park, as (Falco peregrinus), wood turtle (Clemmys well as from adjacent development. Both of insculpta), the West Virginia white butterfly, and these can cause habitat fragmentation and edge a variety of dragonfly and damselfly species. effects that harm wildlife. Amphibians and The park initiated a peregrine falcon intro- reptiles, such as spotted salamanders duction program in 2001, releasing 29 falcons (Ambystoma maculatum) and turtles, are particu-

into the park between 2001 and 2005, in the larly at risk of being killed as they attempt to erry National Historical P

Harpers Ferry initiated Harpers F a peregrine falcon reintroduction program in 2001, with the goal of bringing NATIONAL PARK SERVICE the state-listed falcon back to the park. To date, 29 juvenile falcons have been raised and released into the park with the hope that they will one day return to the park to nest. Fringeleaf wild petunia, a state-listed endangered plant in Maryland, is one of the park’s rare plant species. Staff would like to conduct addi- tional research on the plant to ensure that it STEPHANIE PERLES/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE is fully protected.

24 ark erry National Historical P

Harpers F cross roads that travel through the park. Drivers ing park data into geographic information must use caution to avoid hitting wildlife. Roads systems (GIS) databases, but with limited staff can also disrupt migration routes to and from and funds, completing additional research is a breeding areas and isolate populations, as noted challenge. Ongoing and proposed surveys and in the “Park Habitats” section. Adjacent devel- studies of the park’s karst topography, wetlands, opment can reduce and/or fragment habitat soils, forest vegetation, ferns, air quality, water used by park wildlife and can also cut off tradi- quality, and other resources are being or will be tional migration routes (in addition to harming conducted primarily by researchers from institu- historic viewsheds and lands with historic tions and agencies that include the University of value). In an attempt to mitigate these threats, Maryland, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the park works with its neighbors to encourage the National Park Service Center for Urban land uses that are compatible with park Ecology. In addition, the Center for Urban resource goals (e.g., agriculture), and to acquire Ecology is developing protocols for monitoring land when possible. white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the The park needs to complete additional park. Recent studies indicate that Harpers Ferry’s research to gain a comprehensive understand- white-tailed deer population is overabundant. A ing of rare and threatened species, the health of large number of deer can drastically reduce the park’s biotic communities, threats from native understory species and contribute to the invasive species, and conditions of park waters, success of invasive non-native plants. soils, and geologic resources. Harpers Ferry staff are currently working on digitally storing the data that the park already has, as well as enter- AIR AND WATER QUALITY—WATER the park’s wetlands are not monitored, even QUALITY WELL STUDIED though they are extremely sensitive to degrada- Harpers Ferry’s bodies of water include tion and are very important habitats for a segments of three tributary streams of the myriad of wildlife species. In particular, moni- Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers—Piney Run, toring is needed for the three streams that flow Elk Run, and Flowing Springs Run—as well as a into the 8-acre wetland along Shoreline Drive. number of seeps and springs. Though the There are currently no air-quality monitor- Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers run through ing stations at Harpers Ferry National Historical the park, they are not within its boundaries and Park. The closest air-quality monitoring station are not under the purview of the National Park at a national park is located at Shenandoah Service. A 1997 report indicated that the overall National Park, some 70 miles away, and is quality of Harpers Ferry’s surface waters is good, deemed too distant to draw conclusions for 25 though a number of pollutants exceeded U.S. Harpers Ferry. The closest monitoring station Environmental Protection Agency criteria in not within a national park is located in ark some of the waters sampled. Total coliform and Martinsburg, West Virginia, situated about 15 fecal coliform exceeded these criteria most miles from Harpers Ferry. The West Virginia often, a concern because people use park waters Department of Environmental Protection for recreation. More recent studies reveal that administers this equipment. Data from this pollutants to some degree degrade almost all station indicate that the area’s air quality is There are several water bodies sampled in the park. The contam- moderate for most of the general air-quality bodies of water within

inants of concern—coliforms, metals, nutrients, categories, including ozone and particulate park boundaries that erry National Historical P provide habitat for and chloride—all indicate human sources of levels. However, a high number of unhealthy aquatic and riparian pollution. days in the early 2000s reveal that the area is plant and animal Adjacent development and agricultural prac- susceptible to elevated levels of air pollution. species, including the Harpers F tices can introduce pollutants into Harpers Ferry The adjacent development in the area also painted turtle shown National Historical Park’s water resources. concerns park staff as the increase in automo- here. According to a 1997 assessment, Future development and its impact on the bile traffic will mean more carbon monoxide, Harpers Ferry’s water park’s water resources is a major concern for lead, ozone, and nitrogen oxides emitted into resources are in good park staff. Both point (septic systems of private the atmosphere. condition. residences, runoff from a large junkyard adja- cent to the park, a sewage treatment plant within the park’s boundary) and nonpoint sources (runoff from highway and railroad

corridors, agricultural lands and neighboring NATIONAL PARK SERVICE communities) of pollution have been identified within the park’s watershed. The U.S. Geological Survey and other federal and state agencies monitor the quality of Harpers Ferry’s bodies of water at numerous gauging stations both within and around the park. For example, the National Capital Region Network of the Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring program measures a number of water-quality parameters periodically (monthly to quarterly) at Flowing Springs Run. However, JAMES NATIONS

26 ark erry National Historical P Harpers F

Advocacy by NPCA STEWARDSHIP CAPACITY Harpers Ferry’s current budget does not and community allow the park to fully staff its cultural resource, leaders led to the FUNDING AND STAFFING—SHORTFALLS natural resource, and facility management divi- historic Murphy Farm LIMIT PARK PROGRAMS AND being added to the sions. The park’s business plan recommends the park in 2002. In this RESOURCE PROTECTION park employ an additional nine full-time staff photo, a visitor The most significant factor affecting a park’s for each of the cultural and natural resource contemplates the ability to protect its resources is the funding it divisions. In addition, the plan notes that the spectacular view from receives from Congress and the administration. facility management division is under staffed by Murphy Farm looking upstream along the In fiscal year 2008, Harpers Ferry National 15.5 positions. The park needs additional Shenandoah River. Historical Park had an operating budget of cultural resource staff to monitor and protect $6.25 million to support staff and fund resource cultural resources, to manage the vast archives, protection projects. The park’s budget has and to conduct archaeological investigations. steadily increased over the last decade, but cost- Specific positions include a historical archaeol- of-living adjustments and inflation have cut ogist, museum technician, archivist, and into these increases. groundskeeper. The park’s natural resource program needs staff to monitor the park’s rare carpenters, grounds staff, and custodians), plant and animal species and habitats; monitor which has led to a backlog of projects and the and maintain park boundaries; combat destruc- inability to adequately maintain the park’s tive gypsy moths; resume peregrine falcon rein- historic and nonhistoric buildings. The mainte- troductions; address complex external issues nance staff no longer have time to clean and such as proposed incompatible land uses, maintain exhibits, which has resulted in the communications towers, and landowner accumulation of dust, dirt, cobwebs, and debris complaints and requests; and participate in a in exhibit and collection areas. With the current host of other resource protection and manage- staffing, the park is only able to care for these ment activities. The park’s single natural areas sporadically, and this neglect could lead to resources staff member is stretched to the limit long-term damage. with work that includes developing required 27 planning documents, updating land and PLANNING—UPDATED GENERAL resource management plans, completing envi- MANAGEMENT PLAN IN FINAL PHASE Due to funding and ark ronmental assessments for new projects, and OF DEVELOPMENT staffing shortfalls, the number of overseeing research efforts in the park. Park staff are in the process of revising the formal interpretive Staffing shortfalls extend beyond the cultural Harpers Ferry National Historical Park General programs (ranger- and natural resources divisions and affect other Management Plan. This plan is the park’s most led tours and sched- aspects of park operations. The park does not important guiding document, and it is a valu- uled talks) that have the personnel to ensure adequate law able tool for resource managers charged with Harpers Ferry has been able to offer enforcement protection of cultural resources in protecting park resources. In addition to the erry National Historical P has dropped by remote areas, and the facility maintenance divi- general management plan, the park has several more than half over sion has lost several positions (e.g., painters, reports and inventories that are scheduled for the last three years. Harpers F MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE the near future, including an archaeological park from completing needed plans. survey and assessment of Murphy Farm, several In addition to keeping up with the many cultural landscape reports, and two cultural internal park planning processes, it is critically landscape inventories. important that the park have the staff and To best manage park resources, Harpers Ferry expertise to participate in the planning is in need of additional cultural and natural processes of the towns and counties that resource management plans, reports, surveys, surround it. By participating proactively in and assessments. Cultural resource plans that comprehensive planning and zoning processes are needed include an archaeology site monitor- the park can work to protect its scenic landscape ing plan, an ethnographic survey/assessment, a and act as a resource for the surrounding vegetation management plan for Civil War communities. As indicated in the “Funding and 28 resources (fortifications, earthworks, and camp- Staffing” section, current staffing shortfalls grounds) on Maryland, Loudoun, and Bolivar make it difficult for the park to fully address ark Heights, and a vegetation management plan for external issues such as incompatible land uses cultural landscapes throughout the park. and landowner requests. Needed natural resource plans include a white-tailed deer monitoring plan, an exotic RESOURCE EDUCATION—PARK OFFERS plant management plan, vegetation manage- MANY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ment plans, a geologic hazard management Harpers Ferry National Historical Park provides plan, several integrated pest management plans, an incredible variety of interpretive and educa-

erry National Historical P and habitat management plans for the lime- tional experiences for visitors and schoolchild- stone red-cedar glades and other unique habi- ren, both at the park and off-site. The park’s tats. Funding and staffing shortfalls prevent the interpretive program focuses heavily on cultural Harpers F Interpretive waysides have been placed throughout the park to educate visitors on the history of the area. This wayside provides information on the Curtis Memorial

Freewill Baptist MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Church, which was the centerpiece in the lives of Storer College students and staff. Watching one of the park’s celebrated living history programs, like this Civil War artillery exhibition, is a popular activity at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. MELINDA DAY/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

29 ark erry National Historical P

and historical resources and includes formal and fall. In 2007, the largest segment of the Harpers F programs, waysides and exhibits, self-guided park’s interpretation program was the 1,384 tours, school programs, and living history education programs that were given. The educa- programs. In addition, rangers staff the visitor tion component has grown dramatically since center and rove throughout the park providing 2004, when staff presented just 236 education informal interpretation. The park has also programs. To meet the increased demand, staff developed a comprehensive school education have been reallocated from the living history program that covers every historic theme that is and visitor services programs. As a result of the interpreted at Harpers Ferry: industry, trans- reallocation of staff, the reduction in overall portation, Lewis and Clark, John Brown, the staff at the park, and budget limitations, the Civil War, and the area’s African-American number of formal programs, such as guided history. Park rangers provide education tours and scheduled talks, decreased to 2,147 programs to more than 50,000 students who programs in 2007, fewer than half of what were visit the park each year. offered in 2004. These formal programs reached The interpretive program consists of 16 41,392 visitors in 2007. Informal interpretation permanent and 14 temporary employees. To reached another 152,489 people. adequately serve the 250,000 visitors the park Interpreters staff the visitor center at receives each year, the park needs about 30 Cavalier Heights as well as an information temporary employees. One of the consequences center in Lower Town each day the park is of this staffing shortfall is that living history open throughout the year. Throughout the exhibit interpretation, tours, and demonstra- spring and fall, interpretive rangers give one or tions are offered only on weekends in the spring two daily guided tours in Lower Town. During Costumed staff and volunteers from the park’s living history program work each day during the summer and on the weekends during the spring and fall. MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

30 ark erry National Historical P

Harpers F the summer, staff provide guided tours hourly Although the park offers visitors opportuni- at Lower Town, Bolivar Heights, Camp Hill, ties to participate in guided tours, explore the and Murphy Farm. Interpretive rangers also park on their own, and peruse many exhibits, its rove the park during the summer to provide visitor center does not adequately serve visitors. informal interpretation to visitors. Staff It is smaller than 1,000 square feet and was never perform living history demonstrations and designed to serve its current function. The build- interpretation each day during the summer ing was built as a bus station for visitors waiting and on the weekends during the spring and for shuttles, and it has no exhibits, orientation fall. The Civil War is prominently interpreted film, seating, or space for rangers to provide with artillery demonstrations and perform- interpretation. A new visitor center is proposed ances depicting Civil War encampments. in the draft general management plan. In addition to formal interpretive programs, Harpers Ferry provides visitors with the oppor- EXTERNAL SUPPORT—VOLUNTEERS tunity to explore the park on their own by PROVIDE INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE TO providing self-guided tours and trails, nearly PARK STAFF 150 interpretive waysides, and numerous Faced with significant funding and staffing exhibits within the park’s eight museums. One shortfalls, the park increasingly relies on partners park exhibit titled “Reading a Building” teaches and volunteers to bridge the gap between what is visitors how to discover details about what needed and what the park can afford. In fiscal structures once stood at a location, even after year 2007, volunteers contributed 39,070 hours the structures are long gone and have been of service, helping staff within every park divi- replaced by new ones. sion. This represents nearly a two-fold increase in volunteerism at Harpers Ferry since 2004. This WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP: dramatic expansion has occurred because the park now partners with local universities and • Support or become a member of a group helping to protect colleges via internship programs; the living the park, such as NPCA (www.npca.org/support_npca), Friends history program has been expanded; and the of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (304.535.2757), Harpers park now uses Student Conservation Association Ferry Historical Association (www.harpersferryhistory.org) and interns. Volunteers work on projects to improve other groups listed under “External Support.” the park’s cultural landscapes; assist staff with • Volunteer. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is looking for education and living history programs; provide dedicated people who can lend a helping hand. To learn about visitor services; work on maintenance projects; opportunities, contact the park at 304.535.5017. and assist with natural resources projects such as the peregrine falcon program, white-tailed deer • Become an NPCA activist and learn about legislative initia- 31 monitoring, and vegetation and boundary tives affecting parks. When you join our activist network, you management. In 2008, the park hired a part- will receive Park Lines, a monthly electronic newsletter with the ark time volunteer coordinator. latest park news and ways you can help. Join by visiting In addition to contributions from volun- www.npca.org/takeaction. teers, Harpers Ferry receives extensive assistance from many outside agencies and organizations that work with the park to protect its historic and natural integrity. These groups have been

instrumental in helping the park counter the erry National Historical P enormous development pressures it has faced since the 1980s. These organizations include the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Harpers F Civil War Preservation Trust, Friends of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry BRYNNE MASON Historical Association, Harpers Ferry Conservancy, and National Parks Conservation Association, among many others. They have helped the park advocate for park boundary expansion, acquire and incorporate donated land, request funds from Congress for land acquisition, and they have met with congres- sional delegations to advance park causes. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has made great investments in growing relation- ships with its neighboring gateway communi- ties. As a result, the gateway communities see the park as a partner and an asset that boosts local economies and contributes to the commu- nities’ quality of life. Many community leaders have been pivotal in advocating for compatible adjacent land use, boundary expansions, and Volunteers, pictured here clearing vegetation from a historic fence increases in funding. row, are vital to the protection of Harpers Ferry’s resources. They assist staff within every division. APPENDIX: METHODOLOGY

32 To determine the condition of known natural and cultural resources at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and other national ark parks, the National Parks Conservation Association developed a resource assessment and ratings process. The assessment methodol- ogy can be found online at NPCA’s Center for MARSHA WASSEL/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE State of the Parks website: www.npca.org/state- oftheparks. Researchers gather available information

erry National Historical P from a variety of research, monitoring, and background sources in a number of critical categories. The natural resources rating reflects Harpers F the assessment of more than 120 discrete elements associated with environmental quality, biotic health, and ecosystem integrity. Environmental quality and biotic health meas- ures address air, water, soil, and climatic change conditions, as well as their influences and human-related influences on plants and animals. Ecosystems measures address the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park extent, species composition, and interrelation- preserves the area’s diverse history and rich ships of organisms with each other and the natural resources. physical environment. The scores for cultural resources are deter- For this report, researchers collected data mined based on the results of indicator ques- and prepared technical documents that tions that reflect the National Park Service’s summarized the results. The technical docu- own Cultural Resource Management Guideline ments were used to construct this report, which and other Park Service resource management was reviewed by staff at Harpers Ferry National policies. Historical Park prior to publication. Stewardship capacity refers to the Park NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks repre- Service’s ability to protect park resources, and sents the first time that such assessments have includes discussion of funding and staffing been undertaken for units of the National Park levels, park planning documents, resource System. Comments on the program’s methods education, and external support. are welcome. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For more information about the NPCA thanks the staff at Harpers Ferry National Center for State of the Parks® Historical Park who reviewed the factual accuracy and this and other program reports, contact: of information used in this report. We also thank peer reviewers for their valuable comments and National Parks Conservation Association suggestions. Center for State of the Parks® PO Box 737 CENTER FOR STATE OF THE PARKS® Fort Collins, CO 80522 ADVISORY COUNCIL Phone: 970.493.2545 E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Dorothy Canter Or visit us at www.npca.org/stateoftheparks/ The Johns Hopkins University Dr. Francisco Dallmeier National Parks Conservation Association Smithsonian Institution West Virginia Field Office Erin Haddix St. John, Field Manager Dr. Sylvia Earle Phone: 304.469.4433 National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Email: [email protected] Dr. Glenn E. Haas Colorado State University Primary researchers: Laura Lawfer, Erin McPherson, and Christine Wong Writer: Daniel Saxton Bruce Judd Editor: Elizabeth Meyers Architectural Resources Group Copy Editor: Kelly Senser Karl Komatsu Design/Layout: Paul Caputo Komatsu Architecture Center for State of the Parks Staff: Dr. Thomas Lovejoy Dr. James Nations, Vice President H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, Dr. Gail Dethloff, Director and the Environment Erin McPherson, Cultural Resources Program Manager Robert Melnick Elizabeth Meyers, Publications Manager University of Oregon Cathy Norris, Program Assistant Kat Byerly, Cultural Resources Coordinator Dr. Kenton Miller Megan Lowery, Natural Resources Coordinator World Resources Institute, World Commission on Daniel Saxton, Publications Coordinator Protected Areas Dr. Roger Sayre United States Geological Survey Dr. William Schlesinger Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Dr. Lee Talbot George Mason University

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