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Our family loves historic sites! Ok, I love historic sites, and I have shoved them in my family’s faces for so long that they at least pretend to love historic sites. But I think they really love Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This charming town sits on a cliff at the intersection of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers and where Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia meet.
The topography alone makes it a place worth visiting for adventure seekers and day hikers. Thomas Jefferson himself said that Harpers Ferry was “perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.” Many hikers enjoy this beautiful area that includes part of the Appalachian Trail. However, if you are after a day trip, you will have to content yourself with history.
For those of you who have been following me for a while, you know that I grew up as an Army brat. My dad was stationed at the Pentagon twice during my childhood, which made Northern Virginia our home for a number of years. In fact, when asked where I am from I often say Virginia (it’s often easier than explaining) and the majority of my family still live in the DC area. So I have lots of memories of visiting Harpers Ferry when I was a child. My favorite part was the candy store!
We recently visited Harpers Ferry on a muggy summer day with my kids, a few nieces and nephews, my parents, and my sister. Most of us had been there a few times before, but for one reason or another my kids hadn’t in their memory. My oldest was very excited to visit as he just took AP US History and had learned about Harpers Ferry.
History of Harpers Ferry
The history of Harpers Ferry is significant throughout the founding of the United States. A Federal armory and arsenal was placed there in 1796. The armory produced half of all rifles made in the U.S. at that time.
In the mid 1800s in Kansas, an abolitionist by the name of John Brown had been fighting in that battleground state to prevent the spread of slavery.
He decided to start a slave rebellion by going to the small town of Harpers Ferry and seizing the armory and arming local slaves. His plan didn’t go very well, however, and most of Brown’s men were killed or captured. Brown was forced to surrender by Robert E. Lee, the head of the United States marines, and was hanged for treason. He had failed to incite the rebellion for which he had hoped.
Most historians say that the raid led by John Brown was instrumental in stoking the dissatisfaction between the North and the South and was, in part, responsible for the coming Civil War.
Did you get through all of that? Good, now that you know why it’s such an important historical place, here is what you need to see when you visit!
The historic part of Harpers is in the lower part of town and most of the things to visit are very close together. The lower part of town is a national monument and run by the National Parks department, so everything is free to visit.
John Brown Museum
Here you can brush up on your American history by learning about the Missouri compromise, Bloody Kansas, and other abolitionists that were contemporaries of John Brown. You will also learn about his plot to take over the armory and free the enslaved people of the area. A movie featuring the life of John Brown and the occurrences in Harpers Ferry play every hour and half hour. The movie is a great place to start to get some basic understanding of the historical significance of the area.
John Brown’s Fort
This was the fort that John Brown used as a hideout during his uprising. This historic fort has been moved from its original location but only about 100 or so yards away. The outline of the original location is still evident.
The Dry Goods Store
This store is set up to appear as a store would have been in the mid 1800’s. Townspeople shopped at this store for things like fabric, flour, hats, hammers, candy, and more. It’s a quick place to visit and fun to imagine what it must have been like to shop only in that kind of store.
Meriwether Lewis at Harpers Ferry
This small museum shows what Harpers Ferry looked like when Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis and Clarke fame) stopped in the town to get supplies for his trek across the country. He stopped here to get rifles and ammunition from the armory as well as gifts for the native people and boats.
Various historic scenes
Throughout town they have buildings set up as they would have been during the mid 1800’s. You can peak in to see a Tavern, The Provost Marshal Office, and a Blacksmith shop. This kids had fun pretending to be drunk at the White Hall Tavern.
Overlook and trestle bridge
Walking away from town toward the water you will come to an overlook that allows you to see Virginia and Maryland while standing in West Virginia. You also see the place where the Shenandoah river and Potomac river meet. You can walk across the bridge to your left and within minutes be in Maryland! The kids loved crossing back and forth between West Virginia and Maryland again and again.
Tips for visiting Harpers Ferry
- Parking in Harpers Ferry can be difficult in the summer. There is a bus from the Visitors Center that will shuttle you down to Lower Town.
- Check to find out if the National Park Service is offering any special events before you go. We were able to visit the Children and Family tent that had lots of fun activities for the kids to do.
- Grab a kids’ scavenger hunt from the Visitors Center. It makes them much more engaged in the things they are seeing.
- There are plenty of places to grab a quick bite in Lower Town, but they fill up quickly. If you are a larger group think about eating before or after your visit and just get some ice cream!
- Harpers Ferry is small enough that you can see it all in 2-3 hours. If you want to do some hiking, add more time depending on your needs.
- Harpers Ferry is just over an hour car ride from Washington D.C. and very close to Fairfax and Loudon Counties in Northern Virginia.
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