Your Dollars At Work

Two workers in hardhats stand on scaffolding to repair stonework. — The project to stabilize the historic Pulp Mill foundations on Virginius Island was funded by fee dollars.
NPS Photo/P. Dessauer

Your park entrance fees provide vital support for park preservation, education, and maintenance.

Each year, over 500,000 visitors explore the history and natural beauty of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Restored structures, museum exhibits, wayside exhibits, trails, and educational programs--funded by entrance fee dollars--bring history to life for visitors from all over the United States and the world.

As you enjoy Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, you may notice signs bearing the User Fee logo. Wherever you see this logo displayed, you will also see your entrance fees at work improving this park for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of future generations.

Learn more about our park entrance fees & passes.

For more information on how fees are used across the National Park Service, visit https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/fees-at-work.htm.

Staff work on stone steps. Tools and equipment lay around them. — Fee dollars funded the restoration of the lower 1810 historic stone steps in Lower Town.
NPS Photo/P. Dessauer

Park projects funded by fee dollars:

Repair of roofs and dormer windows for six Lower Town buildings
Stabilization of historic Pulp Mill foundations on Virginius Island
Conservation of lower historic 1810 stone steps in Lower Town
Renovation of Shenandoah Street public restrooms
Repair and rehabilitation of the Visitor Center picnic area
Visitor Center repairs: light poles and restroom doors and windows
Replacement of aging HVAC system in Lower Town building
Replacement of lamp posts in Lower Town
Repair of Shoreline Drive culvert
Carpentry, painting and repairs to the John Brown Museum complex
Installation of new lights in the John Brown Museum complex
Creation of historically accurate items to be used in building restoration
Historic landscaping in the Lower Town

Project Spotlight: Doran Block Historic Building Roof and Architectural Features Repair

In 2026, entrance fee dollars were used to address deferred maintenance for six Lower Town historic buildings, including the A Place in Time exhibit, Dry Goods Store, and Provost Marshal Office. The contract replaced 100 broken roof slates, resealed flashing at the chimneys, repaired and repainted the 11 dormer windows, replaced all snowboards, and cleaned the entire roof surface. Additional tasks, identified by the contractors' field survey and incorporated through a modification, included replacing 3 heavily deteriorated exterior joist members, resealing flashing nails, and repairing a metal finial. This project helped preserve the park's historic buildings, exhibits, and appearance in the historic Lower Town.