Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
John Brown
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2008
1. John Brown Marker
Here John Brown aimed at human slavery a blow that woke a guilty nation. With him fought seven slaves and sons of slaves. Over his crucified corpse marched 200,000 black soldiers and 4,000,000 freedmen singing “John Browns body lies a-mouldering in the grave but his soul goes marching on!”
In gratitude this tablet is erected the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People May 21, 1932
Erected 1932 by National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 21, 1854.
Location. 39° 19.403′ N, 77° 44.458′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Storer College Place, on the left when traveling south. Marker is on the grounds of the former Storer College, along a brick path that is between the Mather Training Center and Cook Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: Heads versus Hands (within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Stephen Tyng Mather (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Heads versus Hands
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. That was the happiest time of my life. (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Foundations of Freedom (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Niagara Movement at Storer College (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Camp Hill during the Civil War (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Storer College 1867-1955
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2020
2. John Brown Marker
Stephen Mather Training Center in the background.
Also see . . .
1. John Brown's Raid. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on October 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. A walking and driving guide to the Civil War story of Harpers Ferry. Among the trails is Camp Hill, along which the marker is found. (Submitted on October 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. Heyward Shepherd Monument. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 21, 2018, by Daniel Eisenberg of Boca Raton, Florida.)
Additional commentary.
1. Not erected until 2006
The president of Storer College (where the firehouse, "John Brown's Fort", was then located), refused to allow the plaque to be mounted because of the militant text.
— Submitted December 14, 2018, by Daniel Eisenberg of Boca Raton, Florida.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2020
3. Nearby Storer College Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,099 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on October 22, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on October 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on October 22, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. submitted on October 25, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
