Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is a section of the town of Harpers Ferry that is protected and maintained by the National Park Service. Of course, the town is best known for John Brown’s raid of the Harpers Ferry Armory in 1859, which was a noted catalyst for the Civil War. After years of decay, neglect, and damage from flooding, the town was designated with national monument status in 1944, and the National Park Service began reconstructing the town by the early 1950s. Today, the community consists of many historic structures and retail shops that can be accessed by shuttle from the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center. A popular event for the town is its Olde Tyme Christmas which is held annually.
