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John Brown was born in May 1800. His 202nd birthday was commemorated at the home of John Ritchie, 1116 SE Madison, Topeka, Kansas on May 9, 2002.
The last time John Brown was seen in Topeka, he was shaking hands with John Ritchie in front of this modest stone house. Brown had been a guest the night before, and he left never to see his friend, or Kansas, again. He died on the gallows later that year. |
Ritchie and Brown had much in common. Both were ardent abolitionists: both were fearless in their opposition to those who would make Kansas a slave state. But there was a key difference. While Brown's mission was to end slavery, Ritchie sought not only to end slavery but to create a new society--an inclusive society with White and Black, male and female, participating fully. This was his vision for Topeka. |
Rarely are perfect people found in the study of history, and we find no perfection in the lives of John Brown, nor John Ritchie, nor Jim Lane. What is found in these individuals is a sense of duty, the courage to bring about change, and a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for a greater cause. They would not care that we remember them here today, but they will surely haunt us if we fail to live our lives with such passion and commitment. --from a handout distributed on-site, May 9, 2002 |
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| The John Ritchie House is currently owned by the Shawnee County Historical Society. Under the directorship of Dr. Bill Wagnon, restoration work continues. The structure of the building has been secured. Soon the home's interior work will begin. |
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 interior, Ritchie House |
 portrait of John Ritchie and historic photos |
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| Reanactors represented the principal characters in this "Bleeding Kansas" story. |
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| History lovers converged on Ritchie's front lawn for birthday cake, punch and conversation. |
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 A tent on the lawn provided shade, but the weather was beautiful. |
 Crowd listens to speakers, above. |
 Rick, SCHS, Deb, Ritchie House |
 Local historian, Rev. Richard Taylor, talks with John Brown. |
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| Tours, Civil War music (played by Stuart Yoho) and sharing history. |
 Jacque's hoop skirt fills the doorway |
 Stuart plays |
 Stuart sings |
 juice harp accomaniment |
 John Brown's birthday cake remnants |
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| Characters continue to tell their stories as refreshments are served. |
 Sheriff Sam Jones, pro-slavery Territorial Sheriff, from Lecompton |
 John Ritchie, our host |
 Rev. Thomas Johnson, Shawnee Indian Mission, slave holder |
 Clarina Nichols was probably discussing women's issues with the Reverend Johnson |
 Herschel and Jacque Stroud portray governor-to-be Sam Crawford and his wife, Isabel |
| Guest speaker, Dr. John Sellers, of the Library of Congress toured the Ritchie House with Curriculum Coordinator, Debra Goodrich. |
 Dr. John Sellers and Debra Goodrich |
An interesting detail: a door on the south side of the Ritchie House, half way up the outside wall. |
 south facade, Ritchie House |
Read Topeka Capital-Journal article about these events * Debra Goodrich's editorial about Brown |
