Welcome to Lockwood House, a historical landmark nestled within the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia. Let us take you back to the mid-19th century when this house was built in 1848 as the residence for the paymaster of the United States Armory and Arsenal. Constructed in the Greek Revival and Italianate styles, its brick and stone structure stands as a silent witness to the tumultuous times of the Civil War and beyond.
Lockwood House’s story is intertwined with the history of the United States. During the Civil War, it served as a military hospital known as Clayton Hospital, treating wounded soldiers and those suffering from camp diseases. Its broad two-story porch and large rooms made it an ideal recovery site. The house also became Union General Henry Lockwood’s headquarters in 1864, which is how it received its namesake.
The end of the Civil War in 1865 marked a new chapter for Lockwood House. It became the first building of Storer College, a pioneering institution aimed at educating freed slaves. Reverend Nathan Cook Brackett, an advocate for education and equality, led this transformation, teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic in the very rooms that once echoed with the sounds of war.
Over the years, the house has undergone several changes. In 1883, as part of Storer College, a third floor was added, though it was later removed to restore the house to its Civil War appearance. The walls of Lockwood House are rich with history, literally. They bear the graffiti of soldiers, prisoners, and students, offering a raw, personal glimpse into the lives of those who passed through its doors.
Today, Lockwood House stands as a testament to the resilience and evolution of Harpers Ferry and the nation, from its military origins to its role in the fight for civil rights and education.
