Harpers Ferry Audio Walking Tour

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters

At the symbolic midpoint of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, this welcoming center celebrates hikers and shares stories from one of America’s most famous long-distance trails.

B&O Railroad Potomac River Crossing

Where the railroad meets the river, this historic site offers dramatic views and a glimpse into Harpers Ferry’s industrial and strategic importance during the nation’s expansion.

Black Voices Museum (closed)

This museum focuses on African American history in Harpers Ferry, highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of the community. It’s a vital stop that honors and educates. The Black Voices Museum is currently closed for repairs.

Harper Cemetery

Perched above the town, this serene cemetery provides sweeping views and a place to reflect on the lives of soldiers, townspeople, and visionaries who shaped Harpers Ferry.

Harpers Ferry Armory Site

Once a major federal weapons factory, this location became central to John Brown’s raid. Though only foundations remain, the site’s historical significance is enduring.

Harpers Ferry Historical Museum

Housed in Lower Town, this museum offers interactive exhibits and artifacts that illuminate the town’s past—from everyday life to pivotal events in American history.

Jefferson Rock

Named for Thomas Jefferson, this cliffside lookout provides iconic views and invites visitors to see the landscape through the eyes of history.

John Brown’s Fort

Originally a fire engine house, this small brick building became John Brown’s last stronghold. Its walls echo with the tension and courage of that pivotal moment.

Lockwood House

Once home to Union officers and Storer College leaders, this stately building witnessed both military strategy and the growth of Black education.

St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church

This stone church overlooks the town from a hillside and served Irish immigrant families. Surviving the Civil War, it stands as a symbol of faith and endurance.

Storer College Campus

Founded after the Civil War to educate formerly enslaved individuals, Storer College became a beacon of opportunity, leadership, and civil rights in the Reconstruction era.

The Point

At the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, this natural landmark offers breathtaking views and underscores Harpers Ferry’s strategic and historical importance.

Virginius Island

Now a peaceful area of trails and ruins, Virginius Island was once a thriving industrial village powered by water. Its remains tell the story of Harpers Ferry’s economic rise and fall.

White Hall Tavern

A 19th-century tavern that welcomed travelers, locals, and soldiers, White Hall Tavern is a place to imagine lively debates and social gatherings of the past.

Hydroelectric Power Plant Site

These ruins mark Harpers Ferry’s early steps into modern energy, showcasing the town’s industrial ingenuity at the turn of the century.

Shenandoah River Bridge Site

This former crossing, which connected communities and commerce, was rebuilt several times during the Civil War and stands as a testament to both connection and conflict.

Murphy Farm

A tranquil landscape with a turbulent history, Murphy Farm was a battlefield and later a site for powerful Civil Rights speeches, offering both reflection and scenic views.

Bolivar Heights Scenic Overlook

A key Civil War ridge, this vantage point provides not only stunning panoramas but also insight into Harpers Ferry’s strategic significance.

Hilltop House

Though now closed, this historic hotel once hosted presidents, writers, and travelers, offering unrivaled views of the rivers and town below.

Harpers Ferry Public Square

For centuries, Harpers Ferry Public Square was the town’s hub. This square has witnessed markets, parades, and protests, remaining a center of community life and energy.

Lower Town Train Station

Still in use today, this station reflects Harpers Ferry’s vital role in regional rail transport and its history as a transit hub.

Original Site of Robert Harper’s Ferry

The birthplace of the town, where Robert Harper’s 18th-century ferry began a community that became central to commerce, conflict, and history.

Appalachian Trail Staircase

Carved into the cliffside, this steep stairway links Lower Town to the Appalachian Trail, symbolizing both effort and the trail’s breathtaking perspectives.

Arsenal Square

Once the site of the federal armory, this open space was central to John Brown’s raid. Today, it remains quiet but resonates with historical significance.