John King, Park Ranger, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

摘要

It's an unusual park in that it encompasses several historical themes: 19th-century industry, John Brown's raid, the Civil War, African-American history and transportation. I can't say that one theme is any more significant than another. The natural environment leads to the development of the factory, which leads to John Brown, which leads to the Civil War, which leads to African-American education and civil rights. One of the most overlooked stories is Captain John Hall, considered the father of interchangeability in weaponry. The final version of the Minie ball was developed here by James Burton. When the Federal Army occupied Harpers Ferry and built a quartermaster depot, this is where Phil Sheridan got his supplies for his 1864 Shenandoah Valley campaign.