National Park Service to demolish Henkle Farm House Site

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NHP) will move forward with plans to demolish five structures in a severe state of disrepair beginning January 21. The Henkle Farm House buildings pose a serious safety hazard to visitors and staff.

"Not only will the careful removal of the structures address a major safety concern, but this will also help fulfill portions of the park's 2010 General Management Plan, which called for the Schoolhouse Ridge area of the park to be managed as an 1862 battlefield landscape," Superintendent Tanya Gossett said. "We appreciate all the public input we received about this project and look forward to an even better visitor experience on the battlefield."

The removal of the five structures, which is expected to take about one month to complete, will improve safety at the site and reduce maintenance and security costs. Once site work is complete, the existing landscape will more closely resemble the scene of the Battle of Harpers Ferry in 1862.

The NPS completed the Environmental Assessment for the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Henkle Farm House Site Demolition on September 5, 2023, and signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on November 14, 2023. The FONSI describes why the selected plan will have no significant effects on the environment, provides the rationale for the decision and outlines conservation measures that will be taken to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts.

The FONSI and related documents are available for viewing at http://tinyurl.com/HenkleDemo.