How should John Brown be remembered?

An  actor portrays abolitionist John Brown

This summer, the National Museum of American History’s History Alive! Theater program brought visitors the Time Trial of John Brown. A controversial character in American history, John Brown was a radical abolitionist in the mid-19th century. Brown advocated violence to combat slavery and led armed insurrections that would lead to his execution.

This is the second show in the Time Trials series, which invites visitors to serve as jurors in a short hearing for a historical person. In the Time Trial of John Brown, audience members deliberate on John Brown’s contested legacy and decide how he should be remembered in American history.

Check out the video below to get a sense of the process behind the show and why we’re so interested in getting people talking about history.

How do you think John Brown should be remembered?

Susan Evans is Daily Programs and Theater Coordinator and Julia Imbriaco is Floor Manager at the National Museum of American History.

Comments

[Erden Zikibay]

"If a tax on tea justified revolution, did not the souls of men and women?"

- William Lloyd Garrison

"Slavery is the great and foul stain upon the North American Union; and it is a contemplation worthy of the most exalted soul, whether its total abolition is or is not practicable. If practicable, by what means it may be effected, and if a choice of means be within the scope of the object, what means would accomplish it, at the smallest cost of human sufferance. This object is vast in its compass, awful in its prospects, sublime and beautiful in its issue. A life devoted to it would be nobly spent or sacrificed."

- John Quincy Adams

[Edward]

Recognizing him is one thing. Honoring him is another. I'm on the fence with this one.

[John]

" ... there are too many memorials to Confederate generals and soldiers to count. Surely if the rebel terrorists who killed to attempt to preserve the evilest of America's injustices are to be remembered, Brown should be honored as a hero and a patriot."
Appears to be another individual who believes a simplistic (and innacurate) reasoning for the United States Civil War.
I suppose the fact that he (Brown) was a nut case should be overlooked as well.
I wonder if that poster also believes McVeigh should be honored? After all, he too was attempting to overthrow tyranny (as he saw it).

[John Rudy]

My "partner in crime" posted his reflections on the presentation over at our blog:

http://www.civilwarconnect.com/2011/09/30-minutes-with-john-brown-at.html

Jake hasn't stopped raving about it since he went.

[Jacob Dinkelaker]

Just saw this program last Friday and it was excellent. Great interaction, great interpretation. Fantastic job!

[Erich]

Brown was a hero. Certainly a cause such as ending slavery is as worthy as any and more so than most as a reason to tale up arms.

In Virginia and elsewhere in the Southern United States, there are too many memorials to Confederate generals and soldiers to count. Surely if the rebel terrorists who killed to attempt to preserve the evilest of America's injustices are to be remembered, Brown should be honored as a hero and a patriot.

[harry seenthing]

I've heard and learned it when I was in school, and I've also never seen a video on youtube.com, was writing a very useful and excellent information. thank you

[Fred Cooper]

As a murderous killer. No matter the cause, seeking vicious murders to obtain victory is evil by nature and he deserved to be killed.