- This page was last modified on 9 August 2025, at 07:20. Suggest an edit.
John Brown Farm, Tannery & Museum facts for kids
|
John Brown Tannery Site
|
|
John Brown's Tannery in 1885
|
|
 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 500 feet south of the junction of Pennsylvania Route 77 and John Brown Road [17620 John Brown Rd.], Richmond Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Built by | Brown, John |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002383 |
| Added to NRHP | December 14, 1978 |
The John Brown Farm, Tannery & Museum is an important historical site in Richmond Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. It was once home to the famous John Brown. He was a strong leader who fought against slavery.
John Brown built a tannery here in 1825. A tannery is a place where animal hides are turned into leather. He lived on this farm from 1825 to 1835. The tannery was close to the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal.
Contents
John Brown's Historic Tannery
The tannery was a very important place. It was a major stop on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network. It helped enslaved people escape to freedom. John Brown helped about 2,500 enslaved people during his time here.
The site today shows the ruins of the tannery building. It was a rectangular building, about 55 feet long and 22 feet wide. There was a secret, well-ventilated room in the barn. This room was a safe hiding place for people escaping slavery.
What Happened to the Tannery?
After John Brown left, the building was used for other things. In 1874, it became a cheese factory. Then, in 1884, it was changed into a steam grist-mill. A grist-mill grinds grain into flour.
People always found the building very interesting. Thousands of visitors came to see this historic place. They wanted to see where John Brown lived and worked. The windows and doors were chipped away by visitors taking souvenirs.
Sadly, a fire destroyed the building in 1907. Today, only the foundations remain. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it is a special place that is protected for its history.
Remembering John Brown Today
Every year, on John Brown's birthday, May 9, a community celebration is held at the site. It is called "Spirit of Freedom." This event remembers John Brown and his fight for freedom.
Near the tannery site, you can find graves. These are the graves of John Brown's first wife, Dianthe. Also buried there are their four-year-old son Frederick and an unnamed newborn son.