This event has ended!

View current events hosted by Historical Society of Pennsylvania

The Empty Coffin: John Brown and Philadelphia

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 6:00 PM (ET)

Philadelphia, United States

The Empty Coffin: John Brown and Philadelphia

Ticket Information

Type End     Quantity
General admission Ended Free  

Event Details

December 2 marks the 150th anniversary of the hanging of John Brown, a radical abolitionist who organized a raid on an arsenal in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. After his death, John Brown’s body traveled through Philadelphia. The mayor worried about riots in the streets, so a plan was devised to sneak Brown’s body away safely. Learn about this story and commemorate the anniversary of this pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights. The guest speaker will be Dr. Louis A. DeCaro Jr., author of Fire from the Midst of You: A Religious Life of John Brown. After the lecture, guests can view original documents from  the collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Library Company of Philadelphia, including John Brown’s will.

Event cosponsored by the Library Company of Philadelphia.

When & Where


1300 Locust St.
Philadelphia, 19107

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 6:00 PM (ET)


  Add to my calendar

Hosted By

Historical Society of Pennsylvania



The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest historical societies and one of the largest family history libraries in the nation. Following a complete merger with the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, HSP is also a leading repository of immigrant and ethnic history. It is second only to the Library of Congress for material on the nation’s founding and is the country’s third most popular destination for genealogical study. With approximately 21 million records including manuscripts, graphics, and books that span over 350 years of history, HSP is an invaluable resource for historical research.

HSP serves thousands of on-site visitors each year. It also offers a research-by-mail service and extensive online resources, including a library catalog, finding aids, digital collection, and curricular materials. HSP hosts educator workshops and public programs, and publishes a quarterly scholarly journal. To learn more about HSP or to become a member, visit us at www.hsp.org.