LANCASTER, PA — Join LancasterHistory on Thursday, May 16 as historian Dr. John Quist delves into the infamous Harper’s Ferry raid and President Buchanan’s contentious response to the infamous event.

In the fall of 1859, America stood at a precipice as John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry ignited controversy across a nation already grappling with the issue of slavery. LancasterHistory welcomes Dr. John Quist, renowned author and Professor of History, to explore the event that challenged the nation’s conscience and President James Buchanan’s role in the aftermath.

Dr. John Quist is a professor of history at Shippensburg University. His extensive academic background and prolific authorship offers a profound analysis of an era that continues to shape America's historical landscape. Quist's scholarship includes several influential works on antebellum reform and pivotal figures of the Civil War era.

The event, "James Buchanan, John Brown, & the 1859 Attack on Harper's Ferry," will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at LancasterHistory, 230 N President Avenue in Lancaster. Doors open and a reception begins at 5pm. The lecture will begin at 5:30pm. The lecture will also be streamed to Zoom at 5:30pm for those who wish to join us virtually.

This program is free and open to the public. In-person attendance requires advance registration in order to guarantee a seat. Due to capacity restrictions, tickets may not be available at the door. Virtual attendance requires advance registration in order to receive the Zoom link. Register online by visiting LancasterHistory's website or by calling (717) 392-4633.

About LancasterHistory
LancasterHistory is a community-based, not-for-profit organization established to educate the public on the history of Lancaster County and its place in the history of Pennsylvania and the United States, to advance the missions of regional historical organizations, and to promote the acquisition, preservation, and interpretation of resources representing the history of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania within the broader context of state and national history, including the homes of 15th US President James Buchanan and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith.

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