Harpers Ferry West Virginia: John Brown's Raid
Written: Nov 02 '09
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Scenery: |
 |
|
| Crowds: |
 |
|
| Time needed for visit: |
 |
|
|
Pros: Hiking, History, Maps, Trains, Books
Cons: Can be crowded during the summer, Hot Weather
The Bottom Line: Learn about history and enjoy scenic views at Harpers Ferry Park.
|
|
|
| toiletoctopus's Full Review: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park |
There have been a lot of controversial figures in our country's young history, but one of the most either beloved or despised is John Brown. He was a abolitionist who went further than using the ink of a pen, and relied on weaponry and violence to free those shackled by slavery. John Brown killed slave owners in Kansas, before making his way to then Virginia, in the town of Harper's Ferry. He led a group of fellow abolitionists and freed slaves, to take control of the armory there, and to have other slaves join their cause in fighting the oppression of this practice. While the idea seemed feasible on paper, he didn't get any massive support from slaves in a revolt, and his group was handily defeated while clustered in the armory. His life ended by hanging, but even well over a hundred years since his death, the legacy of his actions live on.
Was John Brown a terrorist, or a real American hero? I'm disgusted by how our country once engaged in slavery, and am thankful that none of my relatives participated in it. As a Virginian, I'm surrounded by the history of this terrible practice, which still causes a lot of pain even today. It took way too many years for everyone in this country to be considered equal, and sadly racism still lives on, with a recent example of this being the justice of the peace in Louisiana refusing to marry an interracial couple. Thankfully our nation's diversity is now gaining an appreciation never seen before, and as we now have a President who is from a different background than any of his predecessors, I'm hopeful that the future will be bright for people of all races, religions, disabilities, and sexual orientation.
You can take a step back in history, and see where the 1859 raid of Harper's Ferry took place. It's in West Virginia, and close to the DC area, with only an hour and a half of driving required from the Nation's Capital. Harpers Ferry National Park is managed by the National Park Service, and at $6.00 a vehicle, you can easily afford to take your family to this fantastic place. The scenery here is among the best in the area, and if you are into hiking, consider bringing your four legged friends. I've taken my pooch on several visits, and found it to be mostly dog friendly. The convergence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers is a sight to behold, and its the only place in the country where you can see three states.(You are standing in WV, looking at Maryland and Virginia)
The first place to visit is the armory itself. It's a sacred location, right in the middle of the town, and to think about what happened here can make the hairs on your neck stand up. The armory itself isn't that big, but you can place yourself in the shoe's of Brown and his crew, and understand what it was like to have Col. Robert E Lee and his marines breaking down the doors. If you want historical interpretations, they have a lot of presentations about this event. These usually occur on the weekends during the summer tourist season, and if they aren't available, you can always go to the Visitors Center. Here you can catch a film about the events that happened during John Brown's raid, or learn about Civil War battles that occured later on.
There are countless museums/exhibit houses you can walk into. If you are a map fantatic like I am, you'll be pleased with the detailed ones showing what the town looked like back in the late 1850's. You can see how people dressed in this era, or how the town has survived numerous floods. Some of the pictures of this are shocking, and remnants of the old train bridge that was ruined during one of the floods, are still visible in the river. There are a few bookstores, where you can buy touristy types of artifacts, or purchase reading materials that you could get online for a lot cheaper. However, if you are a buff and inspired by the visit, it might make sense to buy a paperback or two.
My favorite activity is the hiking though. There are about five trails to choose from, and I liked the Lower Bolivar one. This takes you onto some of the fields where civil war battles occured, along with some trekking into the town itself. There's an ice cream shop on the main drag, where you can get a treat for yourself, as well as your dog. This place is so much fun, as they give free small ice cream cones to your mutt. If you are into those old fashioned candies, there are plenty of stores that sell those for reasonable amounts, and I can't believe the size of the lollipops. They are huge, and will keep your kids entertained for an hour plus!
Be sure to take a walk across the railroad bridge. This is where you can get a fine view of the rivers, and the town. It's wooden, and I love how it creaks, as that's another level of excitement for a otherwise placid walk. A real thrill is to be on the bridge, when a freight train goes over it. The CSX and Norfolk Southern trains are incredible from this vantage point, and this is another way to look back in time, and to imagine those steam locomotives flying across the bridge. Train traffic is heavy, so train lovers will get plenty of opportunities for viewing, pictures, etc. The old tooth powder advertisement on the side of the mountain, is a fantastic place to take a picture with a long lens.
I think Harper's Ferry is a great day trip, but you don't want to spend an entire weekend here. It might make sense to do several hours in the town, and then engage in some recreational opportunities, such as tubing and hiking on the nearby C+O Canal. The park is open from 8 am-5pm daily, although it is closed for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. The best time to go is the fall, as the leaves changing here is an impressive sight. Summers are oppressive in temperature, so be sure to wear shorts and a t-shirt if visiting during the dog days of August. This is a fine diversion for locals and travelers alike, and everyone I have brought here, has wanted to return again.
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: September-November
Recommended for: Familes
Review Topic: Overview
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.