Encountering John Brown exhibit opens

The exhibit Encountering John Brown, will be displayed inside the Honey Springs Visitor Center from Tuesday, January 9 to Saturday, March 16.

The exhibit will explore the history of the man who helped ignite the American Civil War. The display will also provide meaningful historical connections between John Brown and those who later fought at the Battle of Honey Springs on July 17, 1863.

Encountering John Brown was developed, designed, built, and toured by Overland Traveling Exhibits from North Newton, Kansas. Founding institutions include the Watkins Museum of History in Lawrence, Kansas.

An abolitionist, John Brown, spoke out against the institution of slavery and slaveholding in hopes that all people, no matter their race or background, would eventually share freedom equally. Brown also led a group of fellow abolitionists in armed conflicts against pro-slave Missouri border ruffians prior to the outbreak of the Civil War with the assistance of James G. Blunt, William Addison Phillips, Josiah Hinton, and others who would later organize one of the most culturally diverse U.S. armies (Army of the Frontier) ever formed in the entire Civil War. These same Brown men led this army, which consisted of three Union Native Home Guards and the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which was the first African-American Unit to see combat in the entire Civil War. Additionally, these regiments consisted of many Freedmen who had self-liberated themselves from present-day Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. They would fight for their freedoms and homes at the Battle of Honey Springs and the Civil War in Indian Territory.

Be sure to attend Dr. Jennifer Murray’s presentation about “The History of John Brown” at the Honey Springs Battlefield on Saturday, February 3 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The original illustrations of Brad Sneed are a strong feature of the “Encountering John Brown” exhibit.

Funding for this program is provided in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of OH of NEH.