THE “Junction of the Potomac Summer 2021 and Shenandoah, Virginia,” by William Roberts, dating Page 1 - Events planned for from 1808-1809. This is one September weekend of the oldest known prints Page 2 - Author Kathleen of Harpers Ferry. In 1783, Ernst returns to Harpers Thomas Jefferson declared Ferry that this view was “worth a Page 3 - Peregrine Falcon voyage across the Atlantic.” fledges (Museum of Early Southern Page 4 - Upcoming Events Decorative Arts, Winston- Salem, North Carolina)
September Membership Weekend Events Come back to the Ferry Why was Harpers Ferry so September 17 to 19 and help us important in the origin story of celebrate 50 years of support- the Lewis and Clark Expe- ing Harpers Ferry National dition? This tour reveals the Historical Park! We hope vital roles the Harpers Ferry you’ll join us at a special picnic Armory and Arsenal played in and participate in the great preparing Lewis and the Corp programs we have planned. of Discovery for success and See below for details. survival. Most programs have 1/4 mile in Lower Town; limited space, require pre-reg- includes steps, not accessible. istration, and are for members only. Register early online Annual Membership at https://bit.ly/HFPA50. You Meeting and Picnic can also mail us the included Saturday, Sept. 18, 3 p.m. form or call us at 304-535-6881. layers of history at the Ferry and enjoys ($20 per person, registration Deadline to RSVP is September 1st. sharing it with park visitors. with lunch choice required) Not a member, but see a program S’mores and water provided! Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. you’d love to attend? Become a member Join us at Happy Retreat, the historic Location: 227 Allstadts Hill Road, at https://www.harpersferryhistory.org/ home of Charles Washington, for our Harpers Ferry (on-site parking avail- membership. 50th annual membership meeting. able) Enjoy a catered picnic on the beautiful Fireside Ranger Talk: Crossroads of grounds of the property, followed by a Welcome! brief annual r eport, member recogni- Fire: the Allstadt Farm and Harpers Saturday, Sept. 18, 9 to 10 a.m. tion, and a talk by Historian Doug Perks Ferry on the significant connections between Friday, Sept. 17, 8 to 10 p.m. Begin your day with coffee and pastries the Washingtons and Harpers Ferry. As (Members only, registration required, in the Bookshop. Enjoy 20% off HFPA a highlight, Todd Coyle will greet us as limited to 30 participants) products and publications. Charles Washington. A silent auction will include items Park Ranger George Best relates the sto- Meriweather Lewis at Harpers such as rare books, and a package over- ry of the property, the people who lived Ferry Tour night stay, dinner and 2.5 hour private there, and how the history of Harpers Saturday, Sept. 18, 10 to 11 a.m. tour of Harpers Ferry. Ferry unfolded around them. Ranger Led by David Fox Happy Retreat, 600 Mordington Ave, Best has worked at Harpers Ferry for (Members only, registration required, Charles Town, WV 25414 eleven years in a variety of roles, though limited to 75 participants) mostly as an interpretive park ranger. continued on Page 3 He is fascinated by the interwoven Harpers Ferry Park Association | 1 Welcome our Writer-in-Residence Kathleen Ernst
The View is published by the Harpers Ferry Park Asso- ciation (HFPA), an Official National Park Cooperating Association that supports the mission of the National Park Service.
HFPA operates the Park Bookshop in Harpers Ferry NHP. Profits from sales are re- turned to the park to support HFPA and HFNHP are thrilled to an- During her month in Harpers interpretive and educational nounce that author Kathleen Ernst will Ferry, Ernst aims to be inspired by the programs. be returning to Harpers Ferry as the 2021 under-interpreted late nineteenth and writer-in-residence. Ernst’s first book sign- early twentieth centuries of the town. You are invited to join this unique organization and be a ing for her debut novel, The Night Riders Specifically, Ernst would like to explore part of Harpers Ferry's special of Harpers Ferry (White Mane Publishing, Virginius Island as a thriving industrial family. For more information 1996), took place at our Park Bookshop, village, historical floods, Island Park and call (304) 535-6881, e-mail us so it is truly fitting that she’ll be in Harpers B&O Tourism, Jim Crow, and segregation. at [email protected], or visit Ferry as part of our 50th Anniversary year. This research will aid Ernst in reaching her our website at www.harpers- Writer of award-winning mysteries, goal of writing a historical fiction novel ferryhistory.org. historical fiction, non-fiction and poetry, representing Harpers Ferry’s lesser known Executive Director Ernst has become a best-selling author. voices. Cathy Baldau Over the years Ernst’s work has earned With her established audience, Ernst’s Editor many honors, including a Daughters of the residence will help direct more attention Cathy Baldau American Revolution National Award for towards Harpers Ferry in a new and Literature, a Major Achievement Award exciting way, especially with her proposed Assistant Editor Isabella Sager from the Council for Wisconsin Writers, writing workshops. This is not Ernst’s the Sterling North Award for Excellence first project with Harpers Ferry, as she has Board of Directors in Children's Literature, an Emmy for participated in various book signings and James Beckman, President Educational TV, plus Edgar Allan Poe and has served as an event panelist and speaker. Cynthia Gayton, Vice President multiple Agatha Christie mystery award The month-long residency will take place Laura Clark, Treasurer Chris Craig nominations. October 1-29 and will be funded through Mark Elrod Growing up in Western Maryland, the Deborah Piscitelli Fund to Support Susan Journell Ernst has spent much of her time explor- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Michael Lynch (Associate ing the C&O Canal, Antietam Battlefield, Member) and Harpers Ferry. With an affinity for To learn more about the park's artist-in- Doug Perks history and preservation, Ernst earned her residence program or to apply, visit https:// Sarah Shafer Jim Silvia B.S. in Forestry at West Virginia University www.nps.gov/hafe/getinvolved/artist-in- Ed Wheeless and M.S. in History Education and Writing residence.htm Michael (Micaelle) Zeleke at Antioch University.
2 | The View | Summer 2021 Member Weekend Programs, poison ivy in the area. Meet at the Point continued from page 1 in Lower Town.*
Pawpaw Hike *Alternative: if Pawpaws in Lower Town Sunday, Sept. 19, 10 to 11:30 a.m. are already picked, we’ll go to Bolivar Led by Dave Cahan Heights. Approximately 2.5 miles, rated (Members only, registration required, Moderate. 300ft elevation gain with limited to 15 hikers) areas of uneven rocky and muddy footing. Long pants recommended due Join us for a guided hike to find to poison ivy in the area. Meet at the Pawpaws at Harpers Ferry. Pawpaws Bolivar Heights parking area. are the largest native fruit in North American and were a favorite of George Pints for Non-Profits @ Harpers Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Ferry Brewing As we find and sample some of the Sunday, Sept. 19, 2 to 5 p.m. Pawpaws, this hike will introduce you (Open to public) to the fruit and enable you to find them elsewhere in the park and beyond. Wind down the weekend with a brew Schedule is subject to change. Hike leader, Dave Cahan, is a vol- and a fabulous view! Join us at Harpers unteer who hikes the park’s 25 miles of Ferry Brewing to relax, socialize, and trails frequently and is familiar with its talk about this place we love. Bonus: for historic and natural features. every pint purchased, HFB will donate a Approximately 2 miles, rated Easy dollar to the Association! to Moderate. 100ft elevation gain with Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 areas of uneven rocky and muddy foot- Adventure Center Ln, Purcellville, VA ing. Long pants recommended due to 20132
Monumental Peregrine Falcon Fledgling
June served as an exciting month for fledgling has been spotted circling peregrines’ reproductive health, the the wildlife of Harpers Ferry National around the cliffs of Maryland Heights. population became locally extinct in the Historical Park, as a peregrine falcon Maryland Heights was known as eastern United States. Despite decades successfully hatched and fledged for a favored nesting spot of peregrine of effort by the National Park Service the first time in 70 years. Being the falcons until the early 1950’s. Due to to revive the peregrine population, only survivor of three hatchlings, the the detrimental effects of pesticides on Harpers Ferry National Historical Park did not see permanent residence of the species until 2015. Since 2015, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has devoted great care in ensuring the preservation and protection of this impressive species, including the closures of hiking trails to avoid human interference with nests. This devotion has certainly paid off, as the world’s fastest bird is now an awe-inspiring sight throughout HFNHP. Thanks to the efforts of the NPS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- vice, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and countless invaluable volunteers, Harpers Ferry can rejoice in a revived celebration of its wildlife. [NPS Photo] Harpers Ferry Park Association | 3 Upcoming Events
especially John Brown’s raid, African American history, and the intersection of natural and cultural history. Less than one hour Easy walk, includes John Brown’s Fort, the Point (Confluence of rivers), and the Fort obelisk. Participants are advised to bring a flashlight. Meet on The Green opposite the Harpers Ferry Bookshop, Shenandoah Street.
In the Footsteps of John Brown October 16, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Led by David Fox
On the 162nd anniversary of the first day of John Brown’s “Harpers Ferry Inva- sion,” this tour brings to life the land- scape of a dramatic event in the Harpers Trail Less Traveled: Virginius Island Discover the stories of three people Ferry story. Add lesser-known trails and Interpretive Tour whose names are not well-known, but perspectives to the well-known head- August 21, 10 to 11:30 a.m. whose involvement in John Brown’s lines of this pivotal event in American Led by David Gilbert raid and the Civil War contribute to the history. ($10 donation per person, open to public, meaning of freedom. 2 miles across Lower Town Harp- registration required, includes Virginius ers Ferry, Virginius and Halls islands, Island Trail Guide, limited to 30 partici- uneven steps and tripping hazards, not pants) accessible.
This hike will take visitors past ruins of Trails Less Traveled: Bolivar Heights factories and dwellings, discussing how to the Nash Farm the island—now consumed by na- November 6, 10 to 11:30 a.m. ture—was once a thriving industrial and Led by Chris Craig residential community. ($10 donation per person, registration Trail leader David Gilbert is author required, limited to 20 participants) of A Walker’s Guide to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and Waterpower: Mills, Trails will take us through woodland Factories, Machines, and Floods at and meadows, starting with the scenes Harpers Ferry. of September 1862 and ending at a farm 1 mile, rated Easy, with no elevation donated to Harpers Ferry NHP by a gain, but on dirt paths over uneven prominent family that may be used in terrain the future as an environmental educa- tion center. Trail Less Traveled: Lower Lantern Along the way, walk through paw Tour - The Price of Freedom [NPS Photo/Hammer] paw groves, see some of Harpers Ferry’s October 2, 8 to 9 p.m. biggest trees, and catch occasional views Led by David Fox Our guide David Fox served as an in- of the Potomac River below. We will ($10 donation per person, registration terpretive park ranger at Harpers Ferry return to Bolivar Heights, walking along required, limited to 75 participants) for 30 years, retiring in 2018. Fox is inter- ested in everything the park has to offer, Prospect Street with its collection of continued on next page 4 | The View | Summer 2021 Upcoming Events
historic and modern houses. Olde Tyme Christmas Membership way: ruins of mills that once bustled Our hike leader, Chris Craig, is a Reception along Shenandoah, Jefferson Rock, and Certified Tour Guide in Harpers Ferry December 3, 6 to 9 p.m. Robert Harper’s house. and a regular hike leader for the Sierra (Free, Member Only Event) Ending the walk in the town Club. Craig formerly operated a bed business district, you may opt to join us and breakfast out of his Harpers Ferry Whew! Help us finish off a year of com- in one of the restaurants for lunch and home. memoration with holiday cookies and refreshments. Or, you can enjoy some of 2.5 miles, Moderately Easy on dirt cider in the Bookshop. Special shopping the special programs of Harpers Ferry’s trails over rollering terrain. Meet at the discounts for members. 50th annual festival. Bolivar Heights parking area. Our hike leader, Chris Craig, is a Certified Tour Guide in Harpers Ferry Trails Less Traveled: Old Tyme Puzzle Palooza Fundraiser and a regular hike leader for the Sierra Christmas Hike along River and November 7, 1 to 3 p.m. Club. Craig formerly operated a bed (Pre-registration is required. $80 for a Ridge and breakfast out of his Harpers Ferry team of four; $25 per person) December 4 and 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. home. Led by Chris Craig 2.5 mile, Moderate hike on earthen Welcome to the game of competitive jig- ($10 donation per person, registration trails, mainly flat, but with short, steep saw puzzles! Teams of four race to com- required, limited to 20 participants; an climbs. plete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. Worried additional hike may be added at a later another crew is moving too fast? Slow time) To register for these events, please visit them down with a hilarious challenge: our website: have them try assembling pieces with Enjoy hiking in park and town during www.harpersferryhistory.org/events. oven mitts or another obstacle! Don’t Olde Tyme Christmas. We will meet at have a team of four? Register by yourself the Park Visitor Center, 171 Shoreline You can also email [email protected], or and we’ll match you with other players. Drive, and ride the park shuttle to call 304-535-6881. Donations for these All proceeds benefit the educational Lower Town. From there we will walk events benefit the educational and and interpretive programs at Harpers along the Shenandoah on Virginius interpretive programs of the National Ferry National Historical Park. Island before climbing a little piece of Park Service. the Appalachian Trail on the flank of Clarion Inn - Harpers Ferry, 4328 Schedule is subject to change. William L Wilson Fwy, Harpers Ferry, Camp Hill. WV Expect wintertime expansive and (Food and drinks available at the rocky views and possibly some wildlife. Become a adjoining White Horse Tavern.) We’ll also view some history along the Certified Guide We are looking for individuals who are passionate about this park’s history, and who would love to share this passion with visitors in Harpers Ferry NHP! Step 1 of certification, a written exam, will be given November 5, 2021. Candidates must also complete 8 hours of training, 40 hours of in-park volun- teering, and pass a field exam. For additional information and to register, email [email protected], call Cathy Baldau at 304-535-2078, or visit harpersferryhistory.org /certi- Olde Tyme Christmas hike, 2020 (courtesy Ed Wheeless) fied-guide-tours.
Harpers Ferry Park Association | 5 A New Way to Support Your Park
In honor of its 50th Anniversary of these provocative narratives. supporting Harpers Ferry National In addition to the benefits afford- Historical Park, the Association is ed our membership tiers, a Golden offering a unique giving opportunity. Anniversary contribution also includes: The Golden Anniversary Benefactor out-of-print rare book, From the Riot is for those who wish to make a $1,000 and Tumult, recognition in newsletter legacy contribution to champion the and annual meeting, a private guided Association’s past and future mission tour for up to 7 people, a special anni- to enhance the visitor experience at versary reception, and name recogni- Harpers Ferry NHP by supporting the tion on a special plaque to be displayed park’s interpretive and educational in the park. Contributions can be made programs and providing aid to in memory or honor of a loved one or conservation and preservation projects. someone who has been a fervent stew- This fund will aid the park in ard of our national park. upgrading interpretive material in its For more information or to dis- exhibits, museums, and waysides, and cuss an optional payment plan, please From the Riot and Tumult was published in providing new material for sites such as contact Catherine Baldau at 304-535- 1989. Author and NPS cooperating association Allstadt’s Farm and Lockwood House. 2078 or [email protected]. A Golden coordinator James V. Murfin wrote the first draft A legacy contribution fosters your Anniversary Benefactor contribution just months before his death. It was completed passion not only to tell the unique and can also be made online at harpersfer- by A team dedicated to seeing it come to fruition completed the project. They included Raymond nationally-significant stories of Harpers ryhistory.org/product/golden-anni- Baker, Paula Degen, Dennis Frye, Robert Grogg, Ferry, but to protect the tangible versary-membership-tier. Paul Lee, Deborah Piscitelli, and Hilda Staubs. structures that stand as witnesses to
Volunteer Corner Call for We owe much gratitude to these volun- dishes full on hot summer days, and teers who supported us through a very so many other “duties as assigned.” Submissions challenging period. Simply put, our • To Jim Koenig for his handyman We are now accepting submissions for mission could not be fulfilled without skills that keep the Bookshop the HFPA blog. We welcome articles the generous time and assistance of running! relating to Harpers Ferry history, HFPA/ these stewards. park events, and unique experiences in We need help rolling posters! This Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. • To all of those who helped make can be done in the comfort of your own You can read past blogs here: https:// our May 1 Open House an incredi- home while watching the latest Netflix hfpawv.blogspot.com/. For more infor- ble success! Volunteers for the day binge. Contact us at [email protected] or mation on how to submit, visit https:// included Sue Baker, Todd Baldau, 304-535-6881. bit.ly/HFPAblog. Hugh Clayton, Francesca Con- tento, Tiffany Cox, Jim Koenig, and Mike Lynch. • To Jackie and Jayden Hill for roll- ing our vintage NPS posters, which we’re thrilled to offer to visitors at no cost. Keep rolling! • To Hugh F. Clayton for his con- tinued “doorman” services at the Bookshop, which now includes poster rolling, keeping the pet water
6 | The View | Summer 2021 HFPA Welcomes These Karen Schaufeld Kirk Bradley Deborah Ransom New Members! Leesburg, VA Sanford, NC Lebanon, OH Katie & Ryan Bauer Daniel Wayland Sandra Marra & Chris Rea Andrew Redd Harpers Ferry, WV Hamilton, VA Brunton Washington, PA Jason Bell Harpers Ferry, WV Bruce Rice Trappe, MD Potomac & Armory Karl Buchspics Carlisle, PA Barry Brown Superintendent Members Willow Grove, PA George Rutherford Inwood, WV Andrew Downard David Cahan Ranson, WV Michael Brown Charles Town, WV Lovettsville, VA Sarah Shafer Inwood, WV Kalle Nurmepuu Hon. Thomas Curtis Bolivar, WV Juston Carter Lemmon, SD Baltimore, MD Kim Shayda Ranson, WV Suzanne & Jim Silvia Peter Dessauer York, PA Jeff and Kathy Fedan Taunton, MA and Harpers Harpers Ferry, WV Ellen Theloosen Masontown, WV Ferry, WV Christopher Dove Harpers Ferry, WV Ken McCorkle Harpers Ferry, WV Jim Tomlin Front Royal, VA Shenandoah & Paymaster Kimberly & Francis Edwards Olney, MD Marlon Moran Members Edgewood, MD Gayle Underwood Harpers Ferry, WV Donald & Patricia Burgess Martha Ehlman Fairfield, PA Karen Sagisi Frederick, MD Harpers Ferry, WV Klara Wilson Harpers Ferry, WV Carole Powell Carter Hon. Scot & Vicki Faulkner Charles Town, WV Greg Vaughn Harpers Ferry, WV Harpers Ferry, WV Kathleen Winters Harpers Ferry, WV Deborah Fleming David & Lissa Fox Lorton, VA Lynn Vaugh Harpers Ferry, WV Harpers Ferry, WV Terrance Yount Harpers Ferry, WV Gregory DiCostanzo & Gillian Cynthia Gayton Rochester, NY Demica Vigil McPhee Arlington, VA Charles Town, WV Harpers Ferry, WV V. David Grayson Jefferson County CVB New Windsor, MD Donations Received Harpers Ferry, WV Tina Hanigan Nick Castrinos (Lockwood Bruce Kramer Harpers Ferry, WV Attention Members! House donation) Baltimore, MD Edward Love The Association sends out John H. Madigan, Jr. Reston, VA Mary C. Glenn a monthly e-newsletter Daniel Ocheltree Harpers Ferry, WV Richard Mancini and occasional updates on Lisa Wixon Cynthia K. Mason Gettysburg, PA special events happening Lisa, Joe, and Charles Wixon Baltimore, MD Deborah Prentice Martin (on behalf of David Fox) Keith Maxfield New London, WI in the Ferry. If you are not Medford, OR Jim Mulherin receiving this and would Golden Anniversary Upper Marlboro, MD like to, please send us your Benefactors Lockwood & Master Pam Ogasawara & Mike email at [email protected], Todd & Catherine Baldau Armorer Members Corson or call 304-535-6881. If Harpers Ferry, WV Joseph F. Andrews, III Frederick, MD you are receiving it, please Profs. James & Maria Rockville, MD Thomas O’Neil open it—if it is not read Beckman Lysbeth Bainbridge & Stephen Frederick, MD after two or three months Harpers Ferry, WV Ramberg Pamela Oves it will go to your spam Leesburg, VA Knoxville, MD Chris Craig & Ed Wheeless folder. We don’t want Harpers Ferry, WV Jere & Joyce Baker Lynn Pechuekonis anyone to miss out on the David Gilbert Landisville, PA Harpers Ferry, WV great things happening Winchester, VA Kim Biggs David & Karen Petr Rebecca Harriett Brunswick, MD Street, MD here! Berryville, VA Carolyn Blocker B.J. & Kathleen Pino Noah Mehrkam Crofton, MD Home, PA Washington, DC
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Harpers Ferry Park Association | 7 Harpers Ferry Park Association Post Office Box 197 Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Published for the Members and Friends of the Harpers Ferry Park Association, the official Cooperating Association forHarpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Support Harpers Ferry National Historical Park! To view detailed descriptions of our membership categories and benefits, or to join online, visit www.harpersferryhistory.org Basic Membership Benefits:15% discount on every item in the Park Bookshop; additional members-only sales throughout the year; discount at most national park bookshops around the country; discounted tickets and early registration for our unique fundraisers and educational workshops; subscription to The View, our quarterly newsletter; monthly e-newsletter with the most up-to-date information on events at Harpers Ferry; invitation to our Annual Membership Meeting and Picnic.
I wish to join the Harpers Ferry Park Association (new member) I am not interested in receiving member benefits, I wish to renew my membership (renewal) but I would like to make a contribution in the amount of ______to aid the mission of the Please enroll me in the following member category (check one): Harpers Ferry Park Association. $35 Peregrine – Basic Membership. I am a Charter Member and would like to make a donation of ______. $55 Wayfarer – Membership for frequent visitors (includes annual Check if this is a new address for you. pass). $75 Marmion – Membership for families with children or furbabies. ______Name $100 Lockwood – Supporting Membership with additional benefits. $250 Shenandoah – Supporting Membership with additional benefits. ______Address $500 Potomac – Supporting Membership with additional benefits. $1,000 Golden Anniversary Benefactor – Legacy Supporter with ______special benefits. City State Zip
Please clip and mail with check or money order: ______Telephone Harpers Ferry Park Association Phone: (304) 535-6881 P.O. Box 197 Fax: (304) 535-6749 ______Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 Email: [email protected] E-mail 8 | The View | Summer 2021