A close family member is a Civil War buff. Not a reenactor, just an interested American. We visited Harpers Ferry, WV on a gorgeous, early Spring day. At 60+ degrees, we enjoyed the sunshine and warmth.
Here’s our group with David at the left and me at the right.
The East has such beautiful, old towns. Harpers Ferry is carefully preserved for all to see.
So much history! Harpers Ferry saw the skirmish with abolitionist John Brown that is said to have sparked the onset of the Civil War.
The Federal Armory firehouse where John Brown held forth. Attacked by the U.S. Marines, Brown was captured and hanged.
Inside the firehouse. It appeared so small, considering it’s importance in our history.
The town, at a strategic meeting of two rivers and the railroad, was important to the war effort of both sides.
At the confluence of the Potomac (left) and Shenandoah Rivers. The railroad and two canals (the C&O and the Shenandoah) also served Harpers Ferry and connected East and West, North and South.
We walked the railroad bridge across the Potomac for a hike in the woods.
Harpers Ferry changed hands, from Union to Confederate and back again, 8 times during the War.
Harpers Ferry, WV
Lots of interesting history was revealed in the beautiful Information Center.
Some in our crew had been to Harpers Ferry before and some were seeing it for the first time. The beauty of the day belied the tragic nature of the bloody war that nearly tore our country apart. Such was the effort required to end slavery and unite the States again.
– Jane
The Voyage of the Tramper 