Akron Zoo and Osawatomie Commemorate John Brown’s Legacy with Monument Rededication and Freedom Festival

Akron Zoo to unveil restored monument; Kansas Freedom Festival opens with historic battle reenactment

Akron Zoo officials announced today that they will rededicate the John Brown Monument during a public ceremony on September 28, while in Osawatomie, Kansas, the annual Freedom Festival at the John Brown Memorial Park kicked off with a cannon-fired battle reenactment to honor the abolitionist’s stand against slavery.

The dual events celebrate John Brown’s enduring impact on the struggle for freedom, drawing local leaders, history buffs and community members to recognize his legacy and educate younger generations on his role in America’s fight for racial justice.

Monument Rededication at Akron Zoo

At 3 p.m. today, the Akron Zoo revealed plans to rededicate the John Brown Monument, which has been closed to visitors during recent restoration work. Zoo director Emily Harper emphasized the monument’s significance in educating visitors about Brown’s courage and moral conviction.

  • Ceremony Date and Time: September 28 at 3 p.m.
  • Restoration Highlights: Stone cleaning, structural repairs and new interpretive signage
  • Guest Speakers: Akron Mayor Lisa Thompson and local civil rights advocates

Freedom Festival Opens in Kansas

Also today, the Freedom Festival began at John Brown Memorial Park in Osawatomie, commemorating the 17th annual celebration of Brown’s 1856 raid on the federal arsenal in nearby Harpers Ferry. Festival organizer Samuel Wilcox described the opening cannon salvo as a vivid reminder of the violent clash over slavery that helped spark the Civil War.

  • Opening Event: “Battle of Pottawatomie” cannon reenactment
  • Activities: Guided park tours, living history encampments, abolitionist-era music performances and educational workshops
  • Attendance: Hundreds of visitors streamed in for today’s program, with events running through Monday

Continuing the Conversation on Justice

Both Akron and Osawatomie aim to use these commemorations not merely as historical pageantry but as springboards for dialogue about racial justice today. School groups will attend special educational sessions, while local nonprofits will host evening panels on civil rights and activism in the 21st century.