Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
"I just had to speak out" -Pearl Tatten
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 19, 2023
1. "I just had to speak out" -Pearl Tatten Marker
Hearing praise for "faithful slaves" during the dedication of the Heyward Shepherd memorial (to your left), Pearl Tatten interrupted the ceremony. "I am the daughter of a [Union soldier] who fought for the freedom of my people, for which John Brown struck the first blow."
Tatten challenged the faithful slave stereotype. "We are pushing forward to a larger freedom " The audience was shocked. "Confederate Daughters gape as she lauds John Brown," reported the Baltimore Afro-American.
[Caption:]
1931 dedication (pictured) of the Heyward Shepherd memorial included the monument's sponsors: the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 39° 19.4′ N, 77° 43.804′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is on Potomac Street east of Shenandoah Street, on the right when
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the Eastern Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Heyward Shepherd (here, next to this marker); Harpers Ferry History (here, next to this marker); White Hall Tavern (a few steps from this marker); John Brown Monument (a few steps from this marker); Lewis and Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); Armory Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); Short-lived Sanctuary (within shouting distance of this marker); John Brown's Last Stand (within shouting distance of this marker).
Photographed by Adam Margolis, December 19, 2023
2. "I just had to speak out" -Pearl Tatten Marker
More about this marker. [Captions:]
Pearl Tatten (right), Storer College music director
Heyward Shepherd (center), B&O railroad porter
Storer College Choir
Also see . . . Yankee Woman Steals Rebel Girls' Show. Baltimore Afro-American October 17, 1931, page 1. This is the article quoted in the marker containing an account of Tatten's remarks and the reaction they received. (Submitted on May 14, 2025, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 365 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2026, by Carter Hughes of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 24, 2023, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
