Harpers Ferry National Historical Park National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Community Bulletin
Eyes of the Army: The Cavalry Factor
On Saturday, May 3, 2008, visitors are Potomac River pontoon bridge and Battlefield. Park shuttle buses will run
invited to join the park’s living his- then toward Sharpsburg, Maryland. from the Visitor Center at Cavalier
tory staff and volunteers of the 2nd They escaped Stonewall Jackson’s Heights to the Bolivar Heights Battle-
U.S. Cavalry, Company H for special siege and capture of the hapless union field from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
programs at Harpers Ferry National garrison. The cavalry column pressed
Historical Park’s Bolivar Heights on undetected toward Sharpsburg and
Battlefield/ captured a 91-wagon Confederate am- Update on Gypsy
munition train near Williamsport and
In September 1862, Harpers Ferry’s eventually reached safety in Green- Moth Spraying
14,000-man Union garrison found castle, Pennsylvania, on the morning
itself surrounded; surrender was im- of September 15. The column rode 50 The NPS Regional Director has
minent. Cavalry commander Colonel miles in 12 hours. approved this year’s environmental
Benjamin F. “Grimes” Davis deemed assessment for the suppression of
an escape from the Confederate trap Visitors are invited to see historic gypsy moth. Summit Helicopters,
worth a try. On the evening of Septem- weapons and cavalry demonstrations Cloverdale, VA, has been selected as
ber 14, Davis, led 1,500 men across the at 12, 2 and 3 p.m. at the Bolivar Heights the contractor. USDA Forest Ser-
vice personnel have been in the park
to assess conditions and possible
timing of the aerial treatments. If
environmental conditions are favor-
able, suppression of gypsy moth may
begin as early as May 2.
Gypsy moth larvae are hatching and
leaf expansion will probably reach
optimal conditions soon. The main
variable at this time is the weather.
The staging area and landing zone
will be Bolivar Heights or the Mur-
phy Farm. Signs have been installed
at trail heads on Maryland and Lou-
doun Heights and Short Hill.
Call Bill Hebb, Natural Resource
Specialist, at 304 535-6038 if you
have any questions.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, May 2008
A Look Ahead: Programs in the Park
MAY June 14-15 Under Fire: The Battle of patriotic passion of a traditional home-
Harpers Ferry 1862 Artillery dem- town band concert with the Wildcat
May 17 How Does Your Garden onstration and program on General Regiment Band.
Grow? What are kitchen gardens & Stonewall Jackson’s capture of the
heirloom vegetables and how do they 12,500-man Union garrison. Visitors Workshop from 2-4 pm
differ from today’s gardens? Join are invited to witness the power of ar- July 6 Ices, Creamed Ice, and Cus-
Master Gardener Carol Anderson for a tillery that sealed the fate of the federal tards Ice Cream Making and Molding
hands-on demonstration and examina- soldiers. Programs at 12, 2 and 3 pm. Workshop at Roeder’s Confectionery.
tion of 19th century garden tools and Bolivar Heights Battlefield. Observers welcomed. Call the living
heirloom garden plants at the park’s history offices at 304-535-6063 to regis-
Armory Paymaster Garden. June 21 U. S. Navy Band “Coun- ter. Workshop limited to 20 people: 16
try Current” will perform on the yrs or older $5.00. Under 16 free with
May 24-25 Defend and Protect: Arm- grounds of Mather Training Center paying adults.
ing the American Soldier Special (former Storer campus) on Camp
exhibits and programs highlight the Hill from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free of July 12 Supplied for Survival: Meri-
Harpers Ferry Armory, technology, charge. wether Lewis at Harpers Ferry
invention and how soldiers used these Visitors are invited to follow in the
weapons for national defense and June 21-22 Workshop from 10 to4 pm footsteps of Lewis as he prepared for
exploration. The Art of the Forge: Blacksmithing his transcontinental expedition. Enjoy
in the 19th Century Learn the stock special exhibits and tours, family and
JUNE and trade of the early town’s crafts- youth activities.
men who took great pride in leaving
June 7 National Trails Day Join their mark in the town’s industrial
Harpers Ferry Park and partners for history story. Instructor: Professional
our annual National Trails Day events, Blacksmith, David Dufficy. Workshop
America’s largest annual single-day registration is limited to 6 students. HFC Products Are
trails and outdoor celebration. Cost of $100 covers instruction, coal,
and metal. To register, contact the liv- Recognized With
ing history offices at 304-535-6063.
National Park Service
Awards
U.S. Department of the Interior June 28, 2008 - 6:00 p.m.
The Seventh Annual Don Redman Four Harpers Ferry Center media
Heritage Awards & Concert with products have been selected for 2008
Jimmy Cobb, Jymie Merritt & the Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards
Howard Burns Quartet on the grounds by the National Association of Govern-
The history of Harpers Ferry has few parallels in the ment Communicators. These include:
American drama. It is more than one event, one of Mather Training Center.
date, or one individual. It is multi-layered, involving a
diverse number of people and events, decisions and
June 28-29 Workshop from 10-4 pm National Park System Map (Tom Pat-
actions that influenced the course of our nation’s
history. Visit Harpers Ferry and step into history. History 3-D:Harpers Ferry in Depth terson and Nancy Haack, Individual
Join instructors to make your own Map Category)
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Civil War era wooden stereopticon
P.O. Box 65
3-D viewer. Workshop registration is Ribbon of Sand park film (John
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425
limited to 15 students. Cost is $35.00 Grabowska and Steve Ruth, Documen-
Visitor Center
per stereopticon kit. Children under 16 tary Category)
304-535-6029
must be with a registered parent. Cost
Harpers Ferry Historical Association Bookshop covers instruction and stereo viewer HFC onMedia (Dave Gilbert and Bob
304-525-6881 or 800-821-5206 Clark, E-Newsletter Category).
and photos. To register, call the living
Harpers Ferry NHP Home Page
history offices at 304-535-6063.
www.nps.gov/hafe/
Measure Twice, Dig Once: How to
JULY Install a Wayside Exhibit video (Bob
The National Park Service cares for the
Clark, Eric Epstein, Winnie Frost,
special places saved by the American people July 5 America’s Picnic: Celebrating Michele Hartley, Amber Perkins, and
so that all may experience our heritage.
The Glorious Fourth A special living Mark Southern, Instructional Training
history program on how the 4th was Category).
celebrated in America. Experience the
Community Bulletin, May 2008