A special performance of The Anvil, the Trial of John Brown by Julia Davis. Although the trial was held in Charles Town, Judge Richard Parker of Winchester presided.

The historic courthouse in Winchester, Frederick County Virginia has been recently renovated to its pre Civil War status and houses an extensive collection of Civil war artifacts.  The final stage in the renovation has been the courtroom.  We will commemorate the occasion by having a gala event Saturday October 8, 2005, featuring performance of "The Anvil, the Trial of John Brown", by Julia Davis.  The play is reasonably historically accurate, having been written in the 1960's from actual transcripts of the trial.  The trial received extensive media coverage in its day, and captured the public's attention for months.  It brought the Abolitionist movement to a high level of intensity and fanned the passions on both sides.   Judge Richard Parker of Winchester Va presided although the trial was held in Charles Town West Virginia.

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