By PEGGY CARLSON

Next week marks the 150th anniversary of an important and controversial event in American history: John Brown's bloody raid on Harpers Ferry on Oct. 16, 1859.

The event is often given scant attention, eclipsed by the Civil War, which consumes so much of our national attention.

Yet in this sesquicentennial year, many events examine and commemorate the raid--particularly in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.

The Virginia Historical Society in Richmond is opening a new exhibit Saturday, "The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory." The museum poses the question: "You Decide: Murderer, Martyr, Terrorist or Saint?" The exhibit is unique, in part because it is the first major exhibition of its type by a Southern institution, and also because it highlights the fact that Brown's place in American history is yet to be determined. His actions have different meanings depending on one's point of view.

In a recent press release, William M.S. Rasmussen, co-curator of the exhibit and the museum's Lora M. Robins curator, said, "In 1859, Brown's raid couldn't have been a more sensational news event; it forced people to take a stance on slavery--they could no longer ignore it. But because the Civil War overshadowed it, and so much suffering came so soon after the raid, few whites in the South today recall the whole story of Harpers Ferry, or the entirety of Brown's life.

"But the African American community has not forgotten Brown at all, often seeing his actions as noble and just and celebrating him as a martyr and patriot."

The exhibit includes many rare objects: a Sharps carbine, one of the pikes Brown brought along for use by the slaves he hoped to free, a broadside banning attendance at Brown's hanging, a letter written by J.E.B. Stuart to his mother about taking Brown's Bowie knife, and books and materials published by Brown before the raid.

There is also well-known artwork and 22 screen prints from Jacob Lawrence's "The Legend of John Brown."

The museum has scheduled events related to the exhibit:

Oct. 15: William Rasmussen will give a lecture about the exhibit at noon.

Dec. 2: Gallery walk by Rasmussen

Feb. 10: The museum's curator of African-American history, Lauranett Lee, will conduct a gallery walk that explore's Brown's memory within the black community.

A multimedia DVD program is available in the exhibit and offered to area schools. There is also an extensive catalog and online exhibition. The exhibit runs through April 11.

The Virginia Historical Society is located at 428 N. Boulevard. It is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 55 and over, $4 to students and free for children under 18.

For details call 804/358-4901 or visit vahistorical.org.

Note: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will hold the John Brown Sesquicentennial Commemoration Oct. 16-18, focusing on the 36 hours of John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry--featuring drama, music, scholarship, living history, family and youth activities, ranger-led programs and more. For details call 304/535-6748 or visit nps.gov/HAFE.