Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
We made one last stop on our spring break trip and that was to Harpers Ferry. This quaint town has a lot of history to it.
Presidents Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both visited. Jefferson gave his name to this rock after he climbed to the overlook during his stay.
An important manufacturing town located on two major rivers, Harpers Ferry was the site of the first successful American railroad. That would be the B & O Railroad if you have ever played Monopoly.
The largest surrender of Union troops occurred at this site in 1862 to Major General “Stonewall” Jackson.
Black American history was also made here as this was the place chosen by John Brown in 1859 to begin his liberation of the slaves. This was the engine house where he and his men were holed up until J. E. B. Stuart and his men captured him.
Although he was unsuccessful in his mission, it is still impressive to me that he was willing to risk his life to attempt to free others.
From 1865 until 1955 Storer College operated in Harper’s Ferry first for freedmen, then for former slaves and final for all blacks. Fredrick Douglas gave a famous speech at the school, and W. E. B. Du Bois visited in 1906 when Storer College hosted the second conference of the Niagara Movement.
The Appalachian Trail runs through the town, and we saw several hikers despite the fact that it was so early in the season.
Devastated by numerous floods, Harpers Ferry was in jeopardy of turning into a ghost town, when it was made into a national historical park in 1963. The former shops have been turned into museums.
There was not much activity when we were there, but in the summer, this is a bustling site with a lot do to. Despite the lack of action, I appreciated learning more about the history of this area.
I plan to go back again in warmer weather when it is more pleasant to walk around.
Perhaps next time we can even hike more of the Appalachian Trail.
I will leave you with some more images from our visit.
Happy Homemaking!
I am a teacher, traveler, artist, writer, homemaker and a whole lot more. In January 2009, I bought the Cape of Dreams. It was the second house that I had ever owned, but it was the first that I bought by myself. I now live in the house with my husband Douglas, our dog Kahlua, and Crème de Menthe, the cat. Because, what life is complete without a little Kahlua and Cream? I love arts and crafts of all kinds, and I refinish furniture as well. We are slowly redoing our entire house. You can read about my projects on my blog www.CapeofDreams.com
cool trip! too bad it looked so cold and damp. but the photos you took are great and make me want to go see it!
You should go if you ever get the chance. I want to go back on a warmer day when all of the tradespeople are practicing their crafts.
I didn’t know the Appalaichian Trail runs through Harper’s Ferry. We took a detour there once upon a time, too. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
I did not know that either until we got there. Someday I would like to hike a significant portion of that trail. Up ’til now, I have only done day hikes on it.
Let’s take a “walk in the woods”…
Yay! 🙂
I just love historic New England towns. So much fun to explore and think about the history and the people who had been there. Love that wooden trestle.
West Virginny, actually. Jo
This town really packs in a lot of history for such a small village.
The buildings are very interesting, too bad it’s not a “real” town anymore!
It’s not, but when you visit in the summer it is functioning as a town from the 19th century. There are craftsmen and women working with the tools they used back then.