Auroraadvocate.com - 'Legend of John Brown' at museum

This fall marks the 150th anniversaries of John Brown's anti-slavery raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, a pivotal event in igniting the Civil War, and his Dec. 2, 1859 execution.

To commemorate Akron's most famous historic resident, the Akron Art Museum presents selections from Jacob Lawrence's print series "The Legend of John Brown." The exhibition will be on view through Feb. 14. Lawrence, one of the most significant American artists of the 20th century, was the first African American to depict the story of the controversial white abolitionist.

Lawrence's screenprints, which are owned by the museum, will be joined by related images and artifacts from the Summit County Historical Society and the Akron-Summit County Public Library Special Collections Division.

A Northerner, Brown worked on farms in Northeast Ohio before moving to Akron in 1844. An expert breeder of sheep and respected authority on wool, he attracted the attention of fellow shepherd Simon Perkins, Jr., the son of Akron's founder. The two formed a business partnership and Brown moved into a two-room cottage yards away from Perkins' own mansion.

Brown's religious convictions led him to oppose slavery. While working with Perkins, he remained an active abolitionist and regularly housed slaves moving through the Underground Railroad in his Akron home. Now part of the Summit County Historical Society, it houses a permanent display about Brown's life.

Related
community events

Akron-Summit County Public Library John Brown exhibit

On view through Dec. 31

Visit Special Collections to see the Summit County's John Brown exhibit, including historical artifacts from Akron during the era and small glimpses into all the different time periods of his life: moving to Hudson, Ohio as a young boy, his own life as a husband and father, business failures, the infamous raid at Harpers Ferry and finally his hanging as a traitor in 1859.

150th Anniversary of John Brown's Execution

Dec. 2

To commemorate the day of the execution of John Brown, on Dec. 2 the City of Akron and Summit County Historical Society will have a memorial event in collaboration with the First Presbyterian Church on East Market Street in Akron.

Museum information

The Akron Art Museum is at One South High in Akron. For details, call 330-376-9185 or visit www.AkronArtMuseum.org.