(Johnstown, NY) – Guarding Johnson Hall: Life at Johnson Hall during Pontiac’s War will be held at Johnson Hall State Historic Site on Saturday, October 13^th from 11am to 4pm and October 14^th 11am to 2:30pm. The event is meant to give visitors a glimpse of activities at Johnson Hall both military and domestic during that turbulent time.

At 11am the site will open to the public offering a variety of demonstrations, beginning with members of the 55^th Regiment of Foot demonstrating drill and delivering a musket firing demonstration. Due to hostilities on the frontier during Pontiac’s War a detachment of fourteen privates and an officer were sent from Albany to guard Johnson Hall in April of 1764. Capt. Seidemann will be interpreting the daily guard duty and garrison life in the stone house. Visitors will be able to visit the second floor and visualize the house as a defensive structure, complete with the recently reinstalled firing steps.

Culinary historian Sara Evenson, will be on hand in the mansions furnished kitchen throughout the day, interpreting how an 18^th century kitchen would function in a home like Sir William’s. Based on Sir William’s correspondence, Ms. Evenson will have prepared, and have on display a selection of dishes to demonstrate the abundance, variety of ingredients and number of dishes served at Johnson Hall.

Michele Gabrielson of Claus’s Rangers will demonstrate 18^th century chocolate making. Hot chocolate was a popular drink during the colonial period and a favorite of Sir William, his family and guests. Chocolate glasses, bricks of chocolate and bottles of chocolate (nibs or powder) were listed among Sir William’s orders and the 1774 probate inventory.

Carpenter Scott Lance will be interpreting and demonstrating 18^th century carpentry tools and techniques throughout the day. Carpenters were extremely important at Johnson Hall. Ten carpenters built Johnson Hall in 1763, as well as the red coach house and sleigh house. Carpenters would also make shipping boxes/crates, furniture and on occasion coffins.

Olof Jansson will be on hand demonstrating the tools and craft of a blacksmith throughout the day. Sir William kept two blacksmiths at Johnson Hall to repair guns and make hinges, nails, door latches and shoes for oxen and horses.

Kevin Dougherty will display and demonstrate the art of gunsmithing so critical to life on the frontier for both the military and civilians who depended on them for defense and providing wild game. When Sir William was establishing Johnstown, he contracted with his New York agents to find crafts people to settle in town, among them were two gunsmiths.

Historic Site Manager, Wade Wells will lead a tour of the grounds both days at 12:00pm. The tour of former structure sites and landscape features will provide visitors with a view of Johnson Hall as a working farm and the headquarters of the British Indian Department.

Members of Claus’s Rangers will be interpreting their field kit and discussing their duties as officers of the British Indian Department serving with Native allies under the command of Sir William Johnson, Superintendent of Indian Affairs. These officers were common visitors at Johnson Hall for both personal and military purposes.

The mansion will be open for self-guided tours Saturday 11:00am – 4:00pm and Sunday 11:00am – 4:00pm. Interpretive staff will be on hand answer any questions.

The event is free, and donations to support the ongoing historic restoration of Johnson Hall are appreciated.  This is a Path Through History Weekend event. Some demonstrations are weather dependent.

Johnson Hall was the 1763 English Georgian estate of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant. Johnson was the largest single landowner and most influential individual in the colonial Mohawk Valley.  His success in dealing with the Six Nations had a lasting impact on their relationship with the English, and largely influenced England’s victory over the French for control of colonial North America. Today, the main house and flanking stone houses, originally surrounded by a 700-acre farm, interpret Sir William and Molly Brant’s family life through guided tours of the period room settings, educational programs and special events. 

Johnson Hall State Historic Site is located at 139 Hall Avenue in historic Johnstown, just off West State Street (State Highway 29 West). For more information about this event, email JohnsonHall@parks.ny.gov, visit www.facebook.com/johnsonhallstatehistoricsite or call 518-762-8712.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 79.5 million visits in 2022. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518.474.0456. Joins us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the OPRHP Blog.