(Johnstown, NY)- Johnson Hall State Historic Site will hold their annual Holiday Open House on Friday, December 1^st, and December 2^nd from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Johnson Hall’s first floor will be decorated for the holiday season and will feature live 18^th century music performed by Liaison Plaisantes.  Homemade mulled cider and cookies will be served at the Stonehouse fireplace.  The museum shop will offer 20% off for holiday shopping both evenings and will be raffling off a decorated tree. There will be self-guided tours of Johnson Hall and 18^th games including Cards and Whist.

On Friday December 1^st a free shuttle van will loop between Johnson Hall and a shuttle stop in front of the Johnstown Historical Society, on Korth William St. between 5:00PM and 8:30 PM. This is in conjunction with the City of Johnstown’s Colonial Stroll.

Shuttle service will not be available on Saturday evening, parking will be available in the Johnson Hall parking lot and on Hall Ave.  On Saturday, Living History interpreters from Claus’ Rangers will be on hand to interpret the decorated rooms.

“This is a special time of year that visitors can enjoy the hospitality of the season and experience a glimpse of the holiday merriment of that time.” Says Wade Wells the Site Manager of Johnson Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted. Come continue our yearly holiday tradition with us.

Johnson Hall was the 1763 Georgian estate of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant and their family.  Sir William (1715-1774) was the single largest 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 in the Anglo-French struggle for control of colonial North America. The main house and flanking stone houses, originally surrounded by a 700-acre farm, now interpret the Johnson family 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 check out our Facebook page, visit www.friendsofjohnsonhallny.org, or email JohnsonHall@parks.ny.gov.

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.