The National Park Service is marking the 165th anniversary of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry with a number of programs/NPS file

The National Park Service is hosting special events commemorating abolitionist John Brown’s attempt to seize weapons from the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry in an effort to spark an anti-slavery uprising.   

On Oct. 16, 1859, John Brown and 21 like-minded individuals—both African American and White—launched an attack on the U.S. Armory in Harpers Ferry, then part of Virginia, the largest slaveholding state in the Union. Brown aimed to arm an anti-slavery force to incite liberation movements. Though the raid was ended by U.S. Marines, it ignited tensions across the nation, influencing the 1860 presidential election and serving as a catalyst to the start of the Civil War.

Special Programs scheduled at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia:

Oct. 19-20  

Park rangers and the U.S. Marine Corps Historical Company will present “At All Times Ready,” an immersive experience showcasing the raid and its impact on American civil rights history. Programs start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., beginning on the Green in Lower Town and ending at the historic U.S. Armory fire engine house, known as John Brown’s Fort. Reenactors will be available to answer questions from visitors at John Brown’s Fort from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.    

Oct. 18, 25, and Dec. 2  

A park ranger will lead “Clearing the Sky,” a two-part program exploring John Brown’s raid and the trial that divided a nation. The program begins at 11 a.m. in Lower Town and continues at 1:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Charles Town, where Brown was tried. The tour concludes at the site of Brown’s execution and the Jefferson County Museum, featuring artifacts such as the wagon that transported Brown to his hanging. The program covers approximately one mile on mostly flat ground, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.  

John Brown’s complex legacy remains a powerful symbol in America’s ongoing dialogue on race, justice, and the fight against oppression.