For Kids

Explore - Discover - Imagine - Play

Harpers Ferry National Historical park offers a wide choice of experiences for young people. From nature to history, from mountain hikes to river fishing, from ruined villages to quaint shops, from trains to canals, from battlefields to schoolyards, this town captures some of the most moving American stories ever told.

Come churn butter, play lawn crochet, become a soldier, tend a garden, talk to a Union soldier, hear the rattle of muskets, hike to Jefferson Rock, visit Mr. Harper's grave, or stroll through silent ruins; all these await you! Look for the summer schedule of events to discover when activities are scheduled!

 

Theatre in the Park staff teaches visitors to dance during one of their productions.

NPS Photo

Summer 2012 Activities

Theatre in the Park

Theatre in the Park, entering its second season at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, is proud to present a trio of plays on the life and history of the town. This is a joint project within the Interpretive Division in the park. Staff from the Education, Living History, and Visitor Services branches are responsible for creating, preparing, and presenting their own amateur theatre productions. The theme for this year is the commemoration of 1862 for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

Theatre in the Park is presented on Fridays and Saturdays through August 11th.

11:30 - Violence Ignites
John Brown's Raid and the opening days of the Civil War rock the foundation of life in Harpers Ferry.

1:30 - Soldiers on the Streets
Life continues under the federal occupation of Harpers Ferry, despite trials and tribulations of a town under fire.

3:30 - War Returns
Federal soldiers under Col. Dixon miles prepare their defenses, as a Rebel army under General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson approaches.

 

Reporter on the Scene

This just in…Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is hosting its second season of Reporter on the Scene! On Saturdays and Sundays through August 12th from 11am to 3pm, children are invited to become correspondents in the field during the Battle of Harpers Ferry in 1862. We will have a makeup and dressing session to make sure you look your best in period clothing! Act like a reporter with your own camera crew while reading your lines from a teleprompter. See yourself as part of a 'live' broadcast on YouTube later in the summer (a photo release will need to be signed by a parent or guardian). Coaching for the lines will be provided to ensure a stress-free environment for all reading levels. The question now is, will you become one of our reporters?

 

Junior Ranger Days

Come by the Junior Ranger table from 11am to 3pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through August 12th! Education Staff will be available to handout Junior Ranger books, kids' brochures, and Civil War trading cards. Also, join in with the ongoing activity of the day - it could be a puppet show, a gardening activity, Civil War soldier recruitment, or some other fun, engaging program!