About John Brown: America250

who we are: Like-minded folks

We are a loose coalition of historians, educators, artists, journalists, organizations, and advocates from among many US states and Canadian Provinces who are connected to a chapter of John Brown’s life and legacy.

John Brown: America 250 is organized under a Cradle to Grave partnership between two John Brown–based nonprofits: The John Brown Project in Torrington, Connecticut (where Brown was born), and John Brown Lives! in North Elba, New York (where he is buried). 

What We Do: Promote Brown

Partner organizations host independent, John Brown–centered events throughout the year. The Cradle to Grave hub coordinates shared promotion, messaging assets, and access to scholarly experts when needed. We are intentionally non-hierarchical, with no national spokesperson. Event spokespeople are local, reflecting the places and communities where the history occurred. That said, we do have a small committee of founders.

Media inquiries should be directed to dan (at)johnbrownproject.org.

Why we formed: National Reflection

At this moment of national reflection, it is important to highlight Americans who acted on the nation’s highest ideals—even when doing so was difficult, costly, or unpopular. John Brown got a bad rap in history—mostly from people who history has shown to be terribly wrong.

We are setting the (historical) record straight.

Meet the Team

Browniac Advisory Board

(in alphabetical order)

Bill Ayers, educator, author

Kevin Brenneman,

Ian Barford, actor, author; Chicago, IL

David Blight, historian, author, Director of Gilder Lehrman Center, New Haven, CT

Marty Brown, descendant of John Brown, truth-in-history advocate; Portland, OR

Gloria Browne-Marshall, historian, author; New York, NY

John Burton, attorney, Owen Brown Gravesite Committee; Altadena, CA

Denzel Caldwell, researcher, educator, Highlander Research and Education Center; New Market, TN

Mat Callahan, documentary filmmaker, historian, musician; Bern, Switzerland

Cheryl Craft, historic interpreter at John Brown Farm; North Elba, NY

Jeffrey Davis, retired media professional, general Browniac

Anna Forsman, arts & cultural programming director, John Brown Lives!; Saranac Lake, NY

Shawndel Fraser, environmental psychologist, field researcher & interdisciplinary artist; New York, NY

Amy Godine, historian, author; Saratoga Springs, NY

Eleanor Heartney, art critic, curator, art historian, and editor; New York, NY

Lewis Hughes, chef, descendant of harper’s ferry raider Lewis Sheridan; Beacon, NY

Jeff Jones, political strategist, environmental lobbyist, media expert; North Elba, NY

Alice Keesey Mecoy, descendent of John Brown, researcher, Owen Brown Gravesite Committee and Altadena Heritage Organization; Altadena, CA

Ed Maliskas, historian, author, musician; MD

Marietta Kruells, Altadena Heritage organization member, Altadena, CA

Mark McEachern, executive director, Torrington Historical Society; Torrington, CT

Effie Mwando, community organizer; Torrington, CT

Conrad Sienkiewicz, community organizer, general Browniac; Torrington, CT

Jim Silvia, Harper’s Ferry tour guide; Boston, MA

Adam Vander Tuig, theologian, educator, and Browniac; Omaha, NE

Margaret Washington, historian, author; Ithaca, New York

Sandra Weber, historian, author; North Elba, NY

Michele Zack, historian, author, Owen Brown Gravesite Committee and Altadena Heritage organization; Altadena, CA

Greg & Terry Leonino, songwriters, musicians; North Elba, NY

John Brown: America250 Partner Organizations

Contact John Brown: America250