Of the innumerable events and proceedings that led to the American Civil War, radical abolitionist John Brown’s raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, October 16-18, 1859, stood among the most consequential, controversial, and complex. Throughout the war from 1861 to 1865, soldiers sang, spoke, and wrote his name, mentioning such occurrences repeatedly in letters, diaries, and other correspondence. Join Codie Eash, SRMEC Director of Education and Interpretation, as he examines the postwar literature of another phenomenon—that after the war concluded, veterans invoked Brown’s legacy as a central inspiring figure of their service, even in hindsight, when they crafted regimental histories, monument dedication speeches, and memoirs.

- FREE with Museum Admission -

Lydia Ziegler Clare Education Center

Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center