• Interior of the John Brown Fort

    Harpers Ferry

    National Historical Park WV,VA,MD

Thomas Jefferson

Present day view of Jefferson Rock

Present day view of Jefferson Rock

National Park Service

On October 25, 1783, Thomas Jefferson visited Harpers Ferry, viewing "the passage of the Patowmac though the Blue Ridge" from a rock that now bears his name. In 1785, Jefferson's description of this view was published in the Notes on the State of Virginia. [Read Jefferson's complete description]

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

The Appalachian Trail runs through Harpers Ferry. A short walk along the trail from the lower town to the C&O Canal will take you from West Virginia to Maryland in just a few minutes.