Akron Zoo To Rededicate John Brown Monument on Sept. 28

AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Beacon Journal will hold a rededication ceremony for the John Brown Monument at 3 p.m. on Sept. 28. This monument, usually closed to the public, is located in a wooded area of the zoo at 500 Edgewood Ave.

John Brown was a prominent abolitionist who led an raid at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859, aiming to initiate an armed revolt among enslaved people. The raid resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, including 10 of Brown’s 22 men. After being convicted of murder, conspiracy, and treason, Brown was executed on Dec. 2, 1859.

The monument in Akron was built in 1919 by the German-American Alliance in Perkins Woods, near where Brown and his family resided from 1844 to 1854. It features a 6-foot sandstone base topped with a bronze plaque and column. An addition in 1938 was overseen by the Negro 25 Year Club, composed of African Americans who moved to Akron during the Great Migration. The monument’s inscription reads, “He died to set his brother free. His soul goes marching on.”

The rededication ceremony will draw on the rites from 1938. The program aims to connect the monument’s rich history with its current significance. Visitors planning to attend should park in Lot B, which is to the left of the entrance off Euclid Avenue.

The ceremony will start with speakers, musical performances, and a wreath-laying procession at 3 p.m. From 4 to 6 p.m., guests can enjoy mingling, activities, and light refreshments. The event is free, but admission to the zoo is not included.

Reservations for the ceremony are due by Sept. 24. Interested attendees can email [email protected] or call 330-842-6162 for more information.