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John Brown Wax Museum

168 High St, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425 USA

15 Reviews
$
$$$$
Budget
Closed Now
Opens Fri 10a
  • Independent
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“The story of John Brown told through wax figures, music and animation”

The John Brown Wax Museum opened in Harpers Ferry in 1963. The museum is located in a building that actually existed in 1859 during Brown’s raid, and the block on which it stands became a protected National Historical Park shortly after the museum opened.

John Brown was an American abolitionist who believed that armed rebellion was the best way to overturn slavery. He advocated for action over talk, and in 1856, Brown and his supporters killed five pro-slavery settlers in the Pottawatomie massacre in Kansas. He’s best known for leading a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), where seven people were killed and ten were injured when Brown tried to arm slaves with stolen weapons. He was captured and tried for treason against the Commonwealth, murder and inciting a slave rebellion—he was found guilty on all counts and hanged.

The raid at Harpers Ferry may have helped fuel the fire for the South's secession from the Union a year later and the Civil War that followed. Brown’s position in history is still controversial, with some people seeing him as a hero while others label him a terrorist. Another distinction that Brown has is that he’s one of only two historical figures to have a wax museum exclusively devoted to his story (Jesus is the other one).

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Photo of Courtni R.

Reviewed by
Courtni R.

To be completely honest, I really enjoyed the wax museum. It was $7 for an adult ticket which is very inexpensive. It isn't modern by any stretch of imagination and the building is a bit dark and... Read more

Photo of Wayne C.

Reviewed by
Wayne C.

Needs work some of the displays do not work don't see why they charge none of the money goes for updates Read more

Photo of Natalie M.

Reviewed by
Natalie M.

I wanted to go here so badly, but the hours of operation are apparently just a loose suggestion. We arrived yesterday at 3:56 and they were closing, so we came back this morning at 10:15 and they... Read more

John Brown Wax Museum

168 High St
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
25425 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

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  • Parking
  • Pets Allowed
  • Restrooms
  • Wifi
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Credit Cards Accepted
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