The Harpers Ferry Armory, more formally known as the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, was the second federal armory created by the United States government; the first was the Springf
Harpers Ferry Armory in 1862
Gun smithing equipment on display at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
The burning of the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, 10 P.M. April 18, 1861, sketched by D. H. Strother.
Harpers Ferry in 1865, looking east (downstream); the ruins of the musket factory can be seen in the center
From October 16 to 18, 1859, American abolitionist John Brown attempted to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by raiding an armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The raid is frequently cited as o
Harpers Ferry Armory
…building to survive the destruction wrought upon it by the Confederates and the Union forces. It was the armory's fire engine and guard house, which Brown and his raiders barricaded themselves in. It was given the name of John Brown's Fort after the war. This building has been moved four times. The first time, freeing up the site for the railroad…
1897 illustration of U.S. Marines attacking John Brown's "Fort" on October 18
Artist Jacob Lawrence's conception of Brown trying to persuade abolitionist Frederick Douglass to join him in the raid on Harpers Ferry. Douglass refused, as he believed Brown would fail.