At the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers lies Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a small town whose dramatic setting became the stage for one of the most consequential events in the struggle over slavery. Historian Christopher Hamner leads a day-long exploration of the site of John Brown’s 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry, an audacious and controversial attempt by the radical abolitionist to spark a nationwide slave uprising. Though the raid lasted little more than 36 hours, its repercussions reverberated across the nation and helped propel the United States toward civil war.
After arriving at the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center, travel to the historic Lower Town for a guided walking tour that follows in the footsteps of Brown and his followers while exploring the town’s layered history. Enjoy a short hike to Jefferson Rock, named for the former president and offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. A visit to the former campus of Storer College highlights its important role as a center of African American education and memory in the years after the Civil War. The afternoon includes free time to explore the town and its museums, including the John Brown Museum, before returning to Washington, D.C.
Lunch is included.
Know Before You Go
- The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC with a designated secondary pick-up outside the city. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination, after the secondary pick-up, is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
- Tour participants meet at and leave by bus from the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St. SW with a pick-up stop at 270 Center, 15760 Shady Grove Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland, at approximately 8:25 a.m.
- Dress for outdoor walking. Sturdy shoes are recommended.
- The Jefferson Rock hike is approximately 300 yards but can include some uneven stone steps and steep sections.
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, August 7, 2026.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
