A great place to learn about Harper's Ferry.
I recently visited Harpers Ferry with my family. As with most trips we went in search of the history, sights and experiences for the various members in our group. The town is part of the national park service and most people park at the visitors center and take the shuttle bus into the town. There is a parking lot in town but it can quickly fill up because of the popularity of the location. There are lots of shops that sell coffee, gifts and food. There are also many historical sights. The industry museum is right as you get off the bus from the visitors center and are walking into the town. It is just past the bookstore on the north side of the lower street before you get High street and just past the public bathrooms and the bookstore. This was not listed as a sight in the town but I think it is one of the best sites in the town. It is a large room on the bottom floor of the building. The left part of the room has a large mural/display on the wall describing how they harnessed the river and showing a picture of Virginius and Hall's Islands in 1857. The right side of the room is a machine shop showing the implements to machine firearms. When I arrived, a gentleman in period costume was explaining to a crown how firearms (flintlocks and the like) worked and were machined, repaired and built there. He had a good crowd of all ages and was doing a great job of explaining the art and science of the period. I highly recommend stopping by this location in you are interested in history, firearms or machines. read more