John Brown Sesquicentennial April - December 2009

The John Brown Raid Sesquicentennial will be commemorated in four states starting in the spring of 2009. Abolitionist John Brown will be remembers by events in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Commemoration events will includes dramatic products, historic re-enactments, art exhibits, tours of historic sites and educational lectures.

Historians and officials have been planning the anniversary events for John Brown anniversary, which will run from April 18 to December 18, 2009. See the official John Brown Sesquicentennial website for a listing of events.

John Brown Brief Biography

John Brown was born in Connecticut in 1800, to a deeply religious family. He grew up in Ohio, in an antislavery district. During Brown's first 50 years, he moved around, living in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Pennsylvania. He fathered 20 children and worked at various trades but was never financially successful. In spite of this, he would support the causes he believed in. Brown gave land to fugitive slaves, raised a black youth and participated in the Underground Railroad.

In 1855 Brown emerged a significant figure after he followed five of his sons into the Kansas territory and became the leader of antislavery guerillas.

John Brown's Raid

According to a biography on the John Brown Sesquicentennial website, John Brown led a group of abolitionists for a six mile march on October 16, 2859. The march started at Kennedy Farm in Washington County and proceeded across the railroad bridge to Harpers Ferry. In Harpers Ferry they seized the town to steal weapons from the federal armory. The weapons were stolen to use in the cause against slavery.

A passing train that reached Frederick, Maryland, sent a telegram to notify the army of the attack. The army was able to respond to the attack before Brown could accomplish his goal.

John Brown was hanged in December 1859 in Charles Town. According to historians, this was the spark that started the Civil War between the states. Before John Browns raid the North and South may have been able to negotiate their difference. After the attack, and Brown's subsequent trial and hanging, emotions were high, making conflict inevitable.

John Brown Raid Sesquicentennial

The quad state area will host events beginning on April 19, 2009 and continuing through December 18, 2009. Events will include tours, walking tours, concerts, drama and tours that follow the footsteps of John Brown in the fight against slavery.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Many of the events will take place at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Harpers Ferry was the site of the first successful American railroad, John Brown's attack, the large surrender of Federal soldiers in the Civil War and one of the first integrated schools in the U.S.

Resources

John Brown Susquincentennial website

National Park Service: Harpers Ferry

PBS People & Events John Brown 1800-1859

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