The tannery was a major stop on the Underground Railway; Brown helped some 2,500 slaves[3] during this period. The site includes the ruins of the tannery, a one-story, rectangular structure measuring 55 by 22 feet (16.8 by 6.7 m). There was a hidden, well-ventilated room in the barn for the fugitive slaves.[4]: 4–5
In 1874, in "a wonderful state of preservation", it was converted into a cheese factory, and in 1884 it was turned into a steam grist-mill. "The structure is a relic of great historic interest, and is visited by thousands of curiosity and relic seekers, The windows and doors have all been chipped away. The Brown family have visited their old home several times within the past few years."[5]
Foundation of John Brown's Tannery, photographed in 2014
A fire destroyed the building in 1907.[6] On John Brown's birthday, May 9, the site hosts a community celebration, "Spirit of Freedom".[7]
The graves of Brown's first wife Dianthe, their four-year-old son Frederick (another son was named Frederick later), and an unnamed newborn son are nearby.[4]: 8 [8]
^ abMiller, Ernest C. (1952). John Brown Pennsylvania Citizen. The story of John Brown's ten years in northwestern Pennsylvania. (This is an updated version of an article, "John Brown's Ten Years in Northwestern Pennsylvania", published inPennsylvania History, vol. 15, 1948, pp. 24–33, https://www.jstor.org/stable/27766856). Warren, Pennsylvania: The Penn State Press. {{cite book}}: External link in |others= (help)
