John Brown Sesquicentennial Event at Harpers Ferry

JB 150If you happen to live in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry I encourage you to attend the inaugural event of West Virginia’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.  The event will include a panel discussion titled “Madman, Martyr, or Myth: John Brown’s Portrayal in Film” and will include clips from films and miniseries, including, among others, the “Santa Fe Trail” and “North and South”. Each clip will be followed by panel comments and discussion.  Dr. Mark Snell will moderate the panel, which will consist of Dr. Charles Niemeyer of the USMC University; Ron Maxwell, director of “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals”; Dr. Walter Powell, a cultural historian who also is adjunct professor of historic preservation at Shepherd University and past president of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association; and Beth White, adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Charleston and a member of the WV Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.  The event takes place from 6-7:30 pm this Friday on the second floor of the John Brown Museum in Harpers Ferry NHP.  It is free and open to the public but seating is very limited. The WV Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission also will have an information table set up in HFNHP on Friday and Saturday.

For more information re: upcoming events surrounding the sesquicentennial of Brown’s Raid check out the NPS/Harpers Ferry website.

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10 comments… add one
  • Carol Joannette Oct 27, 2009 @ 19:42

    Lake Placid, NY is commemorating the life and legacy of John Brown December 4th and 8th, 2009 – 150 years after his trail, hanging, cortege back to Lake Placid (North Elba) and burial at the family farm.
    A Symposium will be held to examine the life and actions of John Brown, and those who believed in and joined his efforts, as well as recognize the ramifications that still influence us to this day.

    More information can be found about the event at :

    http://www.johnbrowncominghome.com/John_Brown_C

  • Carol Joannette Oct 27, 2009 @ 14:42

    Lake Placid, NY is commemorating the life and legacy of John Brown December 4th and 8th, 2009 – 150 years after his trail, hanging, cortege back to Lake Placid (North Elba) and burial at the family farm.
    A Symposium will be held to examine the life and actions of John Brown, and those who believed in and joined his efforts, as well as recognize the ramifications that still influence us to this day.

    More information can be found about the event at :

    http://www.johnbrowncominghome.com/John_Brown_C

  • msimons Oct 14, 2009 @ 11:05

    Sorry I can't make this; we are planning on coming East this summer to Colonial Williamsburg VA.

    Looks quiet interesting.

  • jfe Oct 14, 2009 @ 6:42

    Given that Maxwell has done CW era films (one good, one not so good), I think he might have a useful perspective on Brown and film.

    • Kevin Levin Oct 14, 2009 @ 6:44

      Hi crappy films are even more of a reason to invite him to participate on this panel.

  • Andrea Oct 14, 2009 @ 3:48

    I'll be driving the 2 hours up there just to kick around, although unfortunately I can't get up there til Saturday.

    Also, Disqus login doesn't work for me, weirdly enough. Or at least, I have now logged in twice and the page still claims I am commenting as a Guest.

    • Kevin Levin Oct 14, 2009 @ 4:40

      Sorry to hear you are having a problem with Disqus. Enjoy HF on this important weekend. Wish I could be there too.

  • Corey Meyer Oct 13, 2009 @ 21:54

    I feel like I am watching an episode of Sesame Street with the part where you have to find which one is not like the other… Ron Maxwell…is he really the best person for this panel? Just curious

    • Kevin Levin Oct 14, 2009 @ 4:41

      It depends what the organizer of the panel is looking for here. My guess is that Maxwell adds an important perspective to all of this. I would be interested in hearing from him if I could attend. I fail to see what the problem is.

  • karenlcox Oct 13, 2009 @ 20:38

    My cousin is WV Commissioner of Culture & History and I know how important West Virginia's Sesquicentennial is to the state. I am also a proud West Virginian, and think the state's history deserves more attention. Here's to wonderful kickoff event!

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