National Park Service
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park U.S. Department of the Interior
Community Bulletin
Election Day 1860 and At All Times Ready
On Saturday, October 11, 2008, Harpers green. Displays will illustrate the 1:00 Polls and Campaign Headquar-
Ferry NHP invites the public to attend social, economic, cultural and political ters open.
Election Day 1860 and on Sunday, Oc- divisions that permeated the national
tober 12, At All Times Ready: The scene in the 1860s. Polls for visitors 1-2 “At All Times Ready : The U.S. Ma-
U. S. Marines. Stroll through the and our living history volunteers will rines” - Visit where the U.S. Marines
community, see a militia competition, be offered in the Dry Goods Store stopped John Brown. (Arsenal Square)
review the issues dividing the country, exhibit.
enjoy a military parade, and vote for 1-2 “A Crusade For Freedom: The
the 1860 candidate of your choice. On Sunday, October 12 the park will Northern Perspective” A musical per-
present At All Times Ready: The U.S. formance by the Indiana Brass Band.
On November 6, 1860, the American Marines. Join the members of the (Northern Reaction Tent)
electorate cast their ballots for the next U.S. Historic Marine Company at the
president of the United States. This Engine House where abolitionist John 2-3 “A Divided Nation Goes to the
momentous political contest resulted Brown was captured. Brown’s raid fur- Polls: The Election of 1860 & John
in the election of Abraham Lincoln and ther polarized slavery and anti-slavery Brown’s Legacy” Ranger guided tour.
provoked secession of southern states. factions, including national political (Local Reaction Tent)
Civil War soon followed. parties influencing the 1860 presiden-
tial election. This living history pro- 3-4 Election Day Speeches and De-
This year’s event depicts the town on gram will share diverse viewpoints with bates at the Alcove.
that 1860 Election Day. The Repub- park visitors.
lican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, 3:30-4 “The Four Pigs: A Political Fai-
was not on the ballot in the state of Schedule of Events for October 11 ryTale” A children’s program (North-
Virginia. Politically, the south was ern Reaction Tent)
Democratic and hatred for the so- 11-12 “A Divided Nation Goes to the
called “Black Republican” was intense. Polls: The Election of 1860 and John 4-4:30 “Defenders of Hearth and
The most influential local politician Brown’s Legacy” Ranger guided tour. Home” - State and local militia compe-
was Armory Superintendent Alfred M (Local Reaction Tent) tition. (Arsenal Square)
Barbour. Barbour was the local elector
for the Northern Democrat, Stephen 11:30-12 “The Four Pigs: A Political 4:30 Polls and Campaign Headquar-
A. Douglas, and held great sway over Fairy Tale” A children’s program. ters Close
his Armory work force and their vote (Northern Reaction Tent)
for President. 4:30 “Grand Militia Muster and Pa-
12-1 “Defenders of Freedom” A Grand rade” (Arsenal Square)
Each of the presidential candidates’ Militia Muster, Parade & Speeches
political platforms will be interpreted begins near the bookshop and ends at 5:00 “The People Have Spoken”
at the Orientation Tent on the park Arsenal Square. Election Results (Dry Goods Store)
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, October 2008
Take a Hike: Tiger on the Trail Leaders Wanted
Harpers Ferry NHP is expanding its
youth hike program and needs your
help. The Tiger on the Trail Program
reconnects students with nature in the
hope of creating a lifestyle of environ-
mental conservation as well as pro-
moting physical activity to help fight
obesity in today’s youth.
Created as a community partnership
between Harpers Ferry Middle School,
Harpers Ferry Family Medicine and
Harpers Ferry NHP, this program was
field tested with Harpers Ferry Middle
School last year and became quite
successful. Because of that success,
Harpers Ferry NHP is teaming up with
local community leaders to extend the
program to all four Jefferson County Students from Harpers Ferry Middle School participate in a Tiger on the Trail Hike.
Middle Schools. By instilling a sense
of activism and responsibility in youth in the lives of our children and take All hike leaders are required to provide
now, America’s natural and historical steps to improve your health at the current contact information (address,
treasures will be preserved for future same time. telephone number, emergency contact,
generations. etc.) and two character references.
Hike audiences will consist of students, Leaders must also sign a volunteer
Due to the expansion of the program, teachers and chaperones. Leaders services agreement and shadow an ex-
additional hike leaders are needed. As can choose the topic of their program perienced hike leader on a hike before
a volunteer you can make a difference (health and fitness, history, environ- leading their own.
ment, safety, etc.) provided the pro-
gram is appropriate for the age of the For additional information contact the
National Park Service students. Hike leaders are requested to Education Branch of Harpers Ferry
U.S. Department of the Interior lead a minimum of two hikes a semes- NHP at (304) 535-2908.
ter.
The history of Harpers Ferry has few parallels in the
American drama. It is more than one event, one
Upcoming Events
date, or one individual. It is multi-layered, involving a
diverse number of people and events, decisions and October 4 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. living history groups Baltimore Light
actions that influenced the course of our nation’s Mr. Lincoln Returns to Harpers
history. Visit Harpers Ferry and step into history.
Artillery, Fredericksburg Light Artil-
Ferry with Jim Getty as Abraham lery, and the Liberty Rifles portray
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Lincoln (Lower Town) Confederate artillery soldiers. Pro-
P.O. Box 65 grams at 12, 2 and 3 p.m.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425 October 12: Harpers Ferry Historical
Visitor Center Association will hold a Tent Sale and November 1-2 Luxury or Necessity:
304-535-6029 host visiting authors on The Green Victorian Preserved Foods Join staff
Harpers Ferry Historical Association Bookshop from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and volunteers at Roeder’s Confection-
304-525-6881 or 800-821-5206 ery as they demonstrate the differences
October 18-19 Family Life 1860 between tin can and glass preserved
Harpers Ferry NHP Home Page in Harpers Ferry: The Frederick foods. 11:00 to 4:00 p.m.
www.nps.gov/hafe/
Roeder Story Help us crush, shred,
and squeeze apple cider for Roeder’s December 6-7 Prospects of Peace:
The National Park Service cares for the
special places saved by the American people
Tavern while hearing about the family’s A Soldier’s Prayer presents a special
so that all may experience our heritage. life and times. 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. program focusing on Yuletide 1864
when soldiers attempted to create their
Oct 25-26 Under Fire: The Battle of own version of Christmas on the battle
Harpers Ferry 1862 Members of the front. 11:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Community Bulletin, October 2008