Harpers Ferry in West Virginia, is the site of John Brown's Raid. John was an ardent abolitionist who felt God had given him the mission to eradicate slavery. He, his sons and several followers, murdered many white slave owners in Pottawattamie, Kansas which then led to retalitory killings. The event became known as Bleeding Kansas and many Historians believe this event really started the Civil War.
John Brown and his followers had hoped to enlist a hundred or so slaves in the area of West Virginia to begin a large rebellion. They planned to take over the military armory andhand out weapons to local slaves. The rebellion did not go well for John. He did not get the massive amount of slaves to come join his cause like he thought he would.
The military arrived and cornered John here. Several of his supporters were killed, including a couple of his sons.
John was captured, sent to jail to await his trial. He presented his case in logical, rational well thought out speeches, however, he was sentenced to die by hanging. He is called a fanatic, mentally unstable - both then and now - though the evidence and proof to support that claim are sketchy. He went to the gallows proclaiming himself a martyr for the slavery cause, emphatically believing God had called him to do this.
Statue to Lewis and Clark
The Tavern as it appeared in the early 1800's
Pictures from the time period
Inside the tavern
On the Green, rail line in background
It's a quaint wonderful town that is very much preserved as it was in the 1850's
The town is built in the mountainside
Brick houses and alley ways just as it was in the 1850's
Looking up the mountain side, these homes and buildings are a little more newer than 1850
James Madison's home - Montpelier. James Madison is another favorite Founding Father and one whom I am eternally grateful to for his endowment so I may study a second Master's Degree in History and Government. I am a James Madison Fellow because of this great man. 
James Madison is given credit for being the Father of the Constitution, though most would agree that the creation and writing of the document was a collective effort of many in 1787. Madison is also one of the three men who wrote the Federalist Papers, written to sway folks to ratify the Constitution. 
The front view of Mr. Madison's home
The back view
Just an amazing home. It felt much larger than Jeffersons, but, then again, James was only 5' while Jefferson was 6'3
The view from Mr. Madison's front porch. It is said that Mr. Jefferson could go to his observatory with a small telescope and see Mr. Madison's home. They lived just a few short miles from each other and visited weekly. Also, Mr. James Monroe lived in the area as well.
The front porch. This is our Professor, Dr. Morrison. 
The original drawings of the grounds show outbuildings and so, new buildings are in process of creation. 
Me reading with the Madison's. 
Another James Madison Fellow, Colin, was playing one of the 18th century games and got a dead ringer! 
Mitchie Tavern
Original building from the late 1700's. Notice how small it is
Antique guns that are original and for sale!
Inside one of the smaller buildings
