March Exhibit Focuses on 150th Anniversary of Harper’s Ferry and Saratoga Resident Mary Brown The National Park Service has planned events commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Harper’s Ferry during 2009. The Saratoga History Museum will debut a personal version of Harper’s Ferry through the eyes of one-time resident Mary Day Brown and some of her children. Mary Brown, second wife of Abolitionist John Brown moved to California after his death to begin a new life. The Museum’s archives will provide a poignant portrait of the family. Mary Brown and 11 of her children and grandchildren are buried in Madronia cemetary in Saratoga. The exhibit opens March 6 in the Museum and includes items never before exhibited. A special reception will be held on March 8 at the Museum at 1pm. Light refreshments will be served. “Abolitionist John Brown and Family Remembered” A presentation by Alice Keesey Mecoy, the great, great, great granddaughter of John Brown will be given at the Saratoga History Museum on Sunday, March 8 at 1:00pm. “There was more to Brown than a hatred of slavery,” according to Mecoy. “Brown,” she said, “believed in equality for all men and women - no matter what their race. He wanted his sons to know how to do women's work, and his daughters to be able to do the work of men. He was so radical in what he thought. I think a lot of people misunderstood him at the time," said Mecoy. Mecoy grew up in Palo Alto California and has spent 20 years researching Brown. During her childhood her family did not talk about John Brown because of the way Brown was perceived. Other descendents of John Brown will also be in attendance. If weather permits, a walk to Madronia cemetary will be included in the event to see the gravesite ofMary A. Brown, wife of John Brown of Harper's Ferry and descendents. Saratoga Historical Foundation · 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA 95070-5935 · #408.867.4311 Kindly submitted by Jean Libby, 2 March 2009