John Brown's Fort - Harpers Ferry
by Susan Rissi Tregoning
Title
John Brown's Fort - Harpers Ferry
Artist
Susan Rissi Tregoning
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
John Brown's Fort in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
This building, constructed in 1848, was the Fire Engine and Guardhouse for the United States Armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. It originally sat up on the hill about 150 feet from where it is now. In 1859, the abolitionist John Brown took refuge in this building when his raid on Harpers Ferry brought mounting resistance. He and 22 followers were beaten down and captured by U. S. Marines under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee. Because of the historical significance, this little structure has been known as John Brown's Fort ever since.
The fort has been dismantled and moved four times since John Brown was captured there. In 1891, it went to Chicago to be displayed at the Chicago World's Fair. Back to Virginia by 1894, it was placed at the Murphy Farm, three miles outside of town. In 1909, it moved to the Storer College, the historically black college, atop Camp Hill in Harpers Ferry. The National Park Service finally managed to acquire it, moving it back to Lower Town Harpers Ferry in 1968.
John Brown's raid was an attempt to initiate a slave revolt in the Southern states; it has often been called a dress rehearsal to the Civil War. John Brown was convicted of murder, treason, and inciting slaves to rebellion. He and six of his men were tried at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Charles Town, West Virginia, and hung nearby shortly after.
Copyright 2020 Susan Rissi Tregoning
Uploaded
August 30th, 2020
Embed
Share