John Brown was a devoted abolitionist in the pre-Civil War period who freed a number of slaves and worked to ignite a rebellion among others. Although he was most known for the work he did in Kansas and Virginia, Brown had a home in North Elba, NY. Today, that property is the John Brown Farm State Historic Site and it will be hosting a very special celebration this weekend in honor of its former owner.
Photo Credit: John Brown’s Farmhouse via photopin (license)
May 9th is “John Brown Day,” and each year there is a celebration of Brown’s life and legacy. This year, speakers will include educator and civil rights activist Dr. James Carter and Brown biographer Dr. Louis DeCaro. The event will take place from 2pm – 4pm at the John Brown Farm Historic Site with a rain location of Adirondack Community Church on Main Street in Lake Placid.
In 1859, Brown was captured, imprisoned, tried, and hanged for treason as a result of his leading a raid on Harpers Ferry. His body was laid to rest in front of his home in North Elba along with the bodies of two of his sons and some of his supporters. It is widely believed that Brown’s uprising helped ignite the Civil War and Brown himself prophesied that the crimes of white men against slaves “will never be purged away but with blood.”
Today, you can visit John Brown Farm in North Elba all year. The grounds are open year-round for hiking and cross-country skiing, while the house is open from 10am – 5pm Wednesday – Monday from May thru October. If you’ve never been to the property, see it for yourself at the John Brown Day Celebration on May 9!
Sources:
NYS Parks – http://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/29/details.aspx
History.com – http://www.history.com/topics/john-brown
CivilWar.org – http://www.civilwar.org/150th-anniversary/john-browns-harpers-ferry.html
