Support provided by:
The Case:
Our contributor bought a spear, or pike, from an antique shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He knows abolitionist John Brown lived near Chagrin Falls and wonders if rebels used this blade in John Brown’s famous raid at Harpers Ferry, VA.
In October 16, 1859, John Brown and 18 men attacked the federal armory in Harpers Ferry. Brown wanted to secure weapons for a future slave rebellion. Instead, thirteen raiders were killed; John Brown was captured and hanged.
To find out whether rebels used this pike in that raid, History Detectives follows the trail to the blacksmith who forged the weapon over 150 years ago, and walks the ground at Harpers Ferry where the battle took place.
More Information
Unionville Museum
15 School Street
Unionville, CT 06085
(860) 673-2231
http://www.unionvillemuseum.org
Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park
171 Shoreline Drive
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm
Related Content
Video:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Dueling Pistols
Were these pistols used in the last great duel on U.S. soil?
-
Related Investigation
Vicksburg Map
Could this mysterious map have been at the front lines of one of the most explosive battles of the Civil War?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Cemetery Alarm
Was this explosive device used to stop a morbid black market trade?
-
Also in Civil War: 1850-1877
Civil War POW Photos
Were these pictures made in a Civil War prison with a home-made camera?
-
Also in Civil War: 1850-1877
Fillmore Pardon
Did President Fillmore pardon a Native American convicted of murder?
-
Also in Season 9
Moon Museum
Was work by major artists, including Andy Warhol, smuggled to the moon?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
- Submit your StoryDo you have a Civil War object? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (9 months ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (1 year ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (9 months ago)