John Brown America 250:
Renewing the Revolution

March 16, 2026
via Zoom

The roundtable will be hosted by John Brown biographer Louis A. DeCaro Jr., Ph.D. and will feature historian Margaret Washington, Ph.D., and environmental psychologist Shawndel Fraser, M.A.

The event is free, open to the public, and donations are accepted. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

The discussion will extend beyond the bond between Brown and Harriet Tubman to such abolitionists as:

Elizabeth A. Gloucester

Jane Harper

Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Edmonia Lewis

Mary Ellen Pleasant

May 5-10
Details TBA

John Brown Week runs from Cinco de Mayo to Mother’s Day and takes place in Torrington, CT, where Brown was born, and North Elba, NY, where he rests. John Brown week celebrates community, truth, and family values.

Tuesday: Cinco de Mayo Theme: Resistance and Responsibility — Freedom in the Americas

Thursday: Roundtable: Descendants of John Brown with Alice Mecoy, Marty Brown and someone from the Owen Brown Gravesite Committee

Saturday: TWO John Brown Birthday Parties: In Torrington, we’ll walk the connector trail from the Five Points Arts Center to the John Brown birthplace, where we will enjoy cake, cider, maybe a beard contest, and some speakers before walking back to the Five Points Arts Center for a free concert by abolitionist singer-songwriter Reggie Harris. Sponsored by the Torrington Historical Society.

In North Elba, John Brown Day will take place at the farm, details to come.

Sunday: Mary Brown’s Mother’s Day Brunch: In Torrington, Brinx will serve a special “light brunch” complete with mimosas. More details to come…

Date: May 1 - Oct 31
At the John Brown Farm on John Brown Road in North Elba, NY.

June 12 - 25
Locations: North Elba, NY, Torrington, CT, Harper’s Ferry, WV, and Sharpsburg MD

Led by Dr. Kathy Bullock, Singing Our Journey to Freedom Tour is not just a music tour, it is a moving classroom tracing the unfinished work of emancipation across America. Songs of Slavery and Emancipation are primary-source historical documents in the form of song.

North Elba, NY June 17

Torrington, CT, June 22

Harper’s Ferry, WV. June XX

Sharpsburg MD, June XX

July 4-5
Location: John Brown Farm, North Elba, NY

Actor Ian Barford will read John Brown’s Declaration of Liberty and his Provisional Constitution for the Subterranean Pass-way community designed to break the system of slavery through hopelessness and attrition.

July 20
Locations: John Brown Farm, North Elba, NY

John Brown and the Transcendentalists
Dr. Lou is joined by Nell Painter and David Reynolds for a deep look into ‘deeper insights’ into “The Old Man.”

You can attend live of view the live stream. Details to come.

October 16-18
Locations: Harper’s Ferry, WV

A Harper’s Ferry BROWNIAC MEETUP!

While there probably will not be extra room in our AirBnB, there will certainly be room to walk with us as we explore Harper’s Ferry, pepper Dr. Lou with questions, and enjoy the scenery.

Dec 6
Location: John Brown Birthplace, John Brown Rd., Torrington, CT

Memorial moonlight hike at John Brown birthplace—walk in the footsteps of young John Brown in memorial of his execution in this annual memorial hike. It is on flat ground and less than a mile, but make sure Captain Brown would approve of your footwear.