| Calhouner Boyd Stutler, writer and historian, created the largest historical collection on abolitionist John Brown. If alive today would be on board to exonerate him.
See  CALHOUN'S BOYD STUTLER RECORDED MOUNTAIN STATE'S HISTORY
To many, the name John Brown is something you find in American History books. However, on this day dedicated to remembering the sacrifices of those involved in the civil rights movement, one Charleston man is determined to renew John Brownâs place in history and right what he believes was a wrong decision 160 years ago.
One glance at the Heritage Towers Museum and Culture Centerâs website, and you canât help but notice their plea to pardon John Brown.
âMost people in this country donât know who John Brown is,â exclaimed Charles Minimah, Director of Heritage Towers Museum. âBlack people donât know that he was a white man, other people may think he was black.â
Charles Minimah is the owner and director of the museum and he is leading the crusade to ensure John Brown is not forgotten.
âHe was a passionate abolitionist,â said Minimah. âHe decided on his own to take matters into his own hands, so he recruited some people including two of his children to go to battle.â
That battle happened in 1859 in Harperâs Ferry, Virginia several years before West Virginia was born out of the Civil War, the only state in the Union to carry that distinction.
âHe figured that if he could incite an insurrection with a slave population that would help other people and other states where slavery is very popular to also rise and fight to end slavery,â Minimah stated. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. He was captured and then put on trial on the grounds of treason. He was convicted and he was very hurriedly hanged.â
âMy own grandmother, that I know about raised me, was sold into slavery,â exclaimed Minimah. âI donât know how to put it but to say she was fortunate enough. She did not make the journey across the Atlantic to come to the United States.â
But many werenât so lucky and now more than 160 years after Brownâs execution, Minimah wants to, in his opinion, right a wrong and get a man pardoned for his sacrifice to help end slavery.
âHis actions were important because it led to the rest of the country learning about the issue of slavery the evils that are involved in it, and that escalated into a debate between the states,â said Minimah.
Minimah says he and many others believe if Brown had been allowed to live, his pardon wouldâve been handed down by President Lincoln. Now, with a new chapter open, he hopes to help rewrite the ending to John Brownâs story.
Hereâs where you come in. If you would like to join this campaign, sign the petition or see when the museum will reopen to the public, visit the Heritage Towers Museum and Culture Centerâs website.
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