Vermont Honors W.Va. Abolitionist John Brown, Declares Oct. 16 John Brown Day

As some communities consider removing Confederate monuments, the state of Vermont is formally honoring West Virginia abolitionist John Brown. 

John Brown’s 1859 raid was an important step in the events that led to the Civil War, and to the creation of West Virginia. 

Last spring, the Vermont State Legislature approved a resolution sought by a Woodstock high school teacher designating October 16 as John Brown Day in Vermont. That’s the anniversary of the raid Brown led on a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, in what is now West Virginia. Brown had hoped to start an armed slave revolt. He was executed two months later.

An anti-racism symposium took place on Oct. 14 at the Woodstock Union High School in Vermont, where Brown will also be discussed on Oct. 16.

In Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, the John Brown Wax Museum is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.