Information Panel: A Moving Symbol

This was the temporary site of John Brown's Fort from 1895-1909.

NPS / Claire Hassler

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Why move a building four times? What is special about the building that used to stand here? It is the only building left from the U.S. Armory and the place where John Brown's raid ended. It is the most important building in Harpers Ferry history.

In it really began the Civil War.
Here was lighted the torch of liberty for all America...
For you this is the most hallowed shrine in this country.
-Henry McDonald, Storer College president

In 1859 abolitionist John Brown led his famous raid against slavery on the U.S. Armory and was captured in the fire engine house, now known as John Brown's Fort.

The foundations in front of you mark a temporary site of John Brown's Fort, from 1895 to 1909. Originally located in Harpers Ferry, the fort was moved four times in 75 years. Entrepreneurs dismantled it and then rebuilt it on location at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. After this exhibition, journalist Kate Field saved the fort from demolition by raising the funds to move it here to Murphy Farm. In 1909 Storer College President Henry McDonald brought the fort to the college's Harpers Ferry campus. After the closing of Storer College the National Park Service returned the fort near its original location in Harpers Ferry (lower town), where it stands today.