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Marlborough, Massachusetts: John Brown's Bell

Soldiers from Marlborough were part of the group that surrounded and captured insurrectionist John Brown in Harper's Ferry in 1859. Their reward apparently was the arsenal bell, eventually brought home and enshrined in a small stone tower.

Address:
Bolton St., Marlborough, MA
Directions:
Corner of Main Street and Rte 85 (Bolton Street).
Admission:
Free.
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Visitor Tips and News About John Brown's Bell

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Bell Tower.

John Brown's Bell

We had no idea John Brown's Bell was in Marlborough MA! The Bell is in a lovely little park on the corner of Main and Bolton (Rte. 85) Street. This is definitely a trip worth taking to see.

[Maria Capozzi, 08/06/2011]

Company 1 of the 13th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia took part in the 1859 assault that defeated John Brown in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. The Massachusetts soldiers took the bell from the building where Brown had been captured, stored it locally, then forgot about it until 1892, when they finally brought it north to Marlborough.

John Brown's Bell

During the Civil War the Marlborough Regulars were dispatched to Harpers Ferry, Va to subdue the John Brown rebellion. Well they did and captured the bell from Harpers Ferry. They eventually brought back the "John Brown Bell" and it is in a small park in downtown Marlborough, MA. Harper's Ferry has tried on several occasions to buy back the bell since Harper's Ferry is certainly more of a tourist attraction than Marlborough, MA. However Marlboro will not sell for any price and Harper's Ferry does not have their "John Brown Bell."

[Lee Hibbs, 02/10/2000]

Nearby Offbeat Places

American Heritage MuseumAmerican Heritage Museum, Hudson, MA - 4 mi.
Abandoned Train TunnelAbandoned Train Tunnel, Clinton, MA - 8 mi.
Irish Round Tower ReplicaIrish Round Tower Replica, Milford, MA - 13 mi.
In the region:
Indian Muffler Man, Shirley, MA - 18 mi.

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