Johnson Hall State Historic Site

08/27/2026

Johnson Hall had an amazing time at opening day of the The Great New York State Fair! Thank you to Commissioner Kathy Moser and everyone else who stopped by and got the chance to explore what NY State Parks & Historic Sites has to offer.

Staff from Johnson Hall will be at the State Fair again this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a special program highlighting the importance of beverages like tea and rum punch in forming and building social bonds in the 18th century. You'll also have a unique opportunity to explore a recreation of a Mohawk Valley Trade House!

We'll see you out there!

08/19/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 at Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark, head on out to catch Johnson Hall's Interpretive Programs Assistant, Ian Mumpton, as he shares research and insights into the lives of the enslaved at Fort Johnson and Johnson Hall during the 18th Century.

Beginning at 6:30pm, this presentation will focus on the documentation available about the labor performed by the enslaved and the ways in which that work tied into the formation and expression of community.

We hope to see you there!

"Let Them Ride Home the Stones": The Lives and Labor of the Enslaved - Wednesday August 19 @ 6:30 pm
Between 1749 and 1776, Old Fort Johnson and Johnson Hall were home to several dozen enslaved men, women, and children. Ian Mumpton, Interpretive Programs Assistant at Johnson Hall State Historic Site, presents ongoing research that sheds new light on this enslaved community and the realities of their daily lives.
Our August "Evening at the Fort" begins at 6:30 pm and is followed by light refreshments. No admission fee, but donations towards the restoration of the 1749 home of Sir William Johnson are always acceptable.

08/15/2026

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧- 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲!

Thank you to all who joined us last night for the lecture by Matthew Schlicksup on the research and reconstruction of the type of shoes likely worn by the unnamed enslaved cook at Johnson Hall!

For those who couldn't make the lecture last night, today is a special opportunity to see 18th century shoes under construction! Matthew Schlicksup will be set up on site actively working on recreated shoes and explaining the process to all who are interested to learn more.

Matthew will be demonstrating from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the West Stone House. No tour or tour fee is required for this drop-in opportunity. Tours will be available on the hour starting at 10:00am, and the last tour at 3:00pm for anyone interested in viewing the inside of the Hall. Tour prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, and children 12 and under are free.

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝: 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐮𝐩, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡!

The old adage of walking a mile in a person's shoes to understand them takes on a whole new meaning in the field of living history, where properly researched and reconstructed clothing is an essential part of the learning process, for both visitors and educators alike. Here at Johnson Hall, we are fortunate to have abundant evidence and the assistance of top-tier experts to help us correctly reproduce even the smallest details of the clothing in which the people we interpret lived their lives.

Join Historic Shoemaker Matthew Schlicksup on 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝟔:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 for a presentation on the process behind reproducing a pair of shoes for Lead Interpreter Naahomae "Mae" Hailu who portrays some of the women enslaved at Johnson Hall.

See how clues from the Johnson Papers, period artwork, and a one-of-a-kind archaeological example make it possible to recreate how these shoes were likely made, worn, and repaired at Johnson Hall.

Stop by 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟐𝐩𝐦 to see Matthew working in the West Stonehouse, where he will demonstrate his trade using the same historic tools, materials, and techniques that would have been practiced in Johnstown 250 years ago and more.

Matthew Schlicksup has been studying and practicing historic shoemaking professionally for over 10 years and specializes in reproducing the highest quality copies of original footwear for reenactors and museums. He has a background in archaeology and living history and has worked for a number of museums and historic sites including Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Ligonier, Fort St. Jean (Quebec), and Valley Forge as well as Johnson Hall. To see more of his work, please visit his Facebook (Matthew Schlicksup).

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝟓𝟏𝟖-𝟕𝟔𝟐-𝟖𝟕𝟏𝟐.

Credit to Samantha Allison for the use of this fantastic image of Matthew Schlicksup from our May 2026 event, "A World Turned Upside Down"

08/13/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟔:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝟕:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐮𝐩!

See how clues from the Johnson Papers, period artwork, and a one-of-a-kind archaeological example make it possible to recreate how these shoes were likely made, worn, and repaired at Johnson Hall.

As a reminder, Matthew Schlicksup will also be offering 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝟐𝐩𝐦 in the West Stonehouse at Johnson Hall.

Both programs are free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6pm for the Friday 8/14 lecture.

Questions? Check out the post below for more information or give us a call at 518-762-8712.

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝: 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐮𝐩, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡!

The old adage of walking a mile in a person's shoes to understand them takes on a whole new meaning in the field of living history, where properly researched and reconstructed clothing is an essential part of the learning process, for both visitors and educators alike. Here at Johnson Hall, we are fortunate to have abundant evidence and the assistance of top-tier experts to help us correctly reproduce even the smallest details of the clothing in which the people we interpret lived their lives.

Join Historic Shoemaker Matthew Schlicksup on 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝟔:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 for a presentation on the process behind reproducing a pair of shoes for Lead Interpreter Naahomae "Mae" Hailu who portrays some of the women enslaved at Johnson Hall.

See how clues from the Johnson Papers, period artwork, and a one-of-a-kind archaeological example make it possible to recreate how these shoes were likely made, worn, and repaired at Johnson Hall.

Stop by 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟐𝐩𝐦 to see Matthew working in the West Stonehouse, where he will demonstrate his trade using the same historic tools, materials, and techniques that would have been practiced in Johnstown 250 years ago and more.

Matthew Schlicksup has been studying and practicing historic shoemaking professionally for over 10 years and specializes in reproducing the highest quality copies of original footwear for reenactors and museums. He has a background in archaeology and living history and has worked for a number of museums and historic sites including Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Ligonier, Fort St. Jean (Quebec), and Valley Forge as well as Johnson Hall. To see more of his work, please visit his Facebook (Matthew Schlicksup).

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝟓𝟏𝟖-𝟕𝟔𝟐-𝟖𝟕𝟏𝟐.

Credit to Samantha Allison for the use of this fantastic image of Matthew Schlicksup from our May 2026 event, "A World Turned Upside Down"

08/08/2026

Looking for some historical exploration outdoors today? Our friends at Herkimer Home State Historic Site are on the road with their outreach programs. We are looking forward to teaming up with them again at the State Fair in a few weeks as well. Stay tuned for more info!

08/07/2026

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝: 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐮𝐩, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡!

The old adage of walking a mile in a person's shoes to understand them takes on a whole new meaning in the field of living history, where properly researched and reconstructed clothing is an essential part of the learning process, for both visitors and educators alike. Here at Johnson Hall, we are fortunate to have abundant evidence and the assistance of top-tier experts to help us correctly reproduce even the smallest details of the clothing in which the people we interpret lived their lives.

Join Historic Shoemaker Matthew Schlicksup on 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝟔:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 for a presentation on the process behind reproducing a pair of shoes for Lead Interpreter Naahomae "Mae" Hailu who portrays some of the women enslaved at Johnson Hall.

See how clues from the Johnson Papers, period artwork, and a one-of-a-kind archaeological example make it possible to recreate how these shoes were likely made, worn, and repaired at Johnson Hall.

Stop by 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 - 𝟐𝐩𝐦 to see Matthew working in the West Stonehouse, where he will demonstrate his trade using the same historic tools, materials, and techniques that would have been practiced in Johnstown 250 years ago and more.

Matthew Schlicksup has been studying and practicing historic shoemaking professionally for over 10 years and specializes in reproducing the highest quality copies of original footwear for reenactors and museums. He has a background in archaeology and living history and has worked for a number of museums and historic sites including Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Ligonier, Fort St. Jean (Quebec), and Valley Forge as well as Johnson Hall. To see more of his work, please visit his Facebook (Matthew Schlicksup).

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝟓𝟏𝟖-𝟕𝟔𝟐-𝟖𝟕𝟏𝟐.

Credit to Samantha Allison for the use of this fantastic image of Matthew Schlicksup from our May 2026 event, "A World Turned Upside Down"

08/06/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To accommodate pre-scheduled educational groups, Johnson Hall will not be offering public tours on the mornings of August 12th or 13th. Public tours will be available these days at Noon, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.

For further information about visiting, please call us at 518-762-8712. Thank you for your understanding!

07/31/2026

Calling all lovers of history and theater and theater history! Our friends at Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site are hosting a fantastic program with Rachel Stewart this Thursday, August 6th!

If you saw Rachel at our recent Dairy Day event, this program will probably be less "cheesy", but is perfect for all you theater hams ;-)

Space is still available! Interested in hearing one of the first American plays, written shortly after the Revolution? Want to do a reading of an 18th century script inside an 18th century home? Call now to reserve your space for "The Revolutionary Stage," our upcoming event with Rachel Stewart of Troy's Scripts & Sips! Light refreshments will be provided.

07/30/2026

The internet tells us it's , and what better way to acknowledge that than to say thank you to all our friends who joined us last weekend for Dairy Day at Johnson Hall!

Thanks to the Friends of Johnson Hall and other volunteers for supporting the event in so many ways (both day-of and behind the scenes), to Erin Czernicki and Rachel Stewart for sharing their expertise on colonial cheese and ice cream with us, and to everyone who joined us to explore this fascinating part of our area's colonial history!

Dairy Day was the first in a six-part series of foodways programs on the menu at Johnson Hall, funded through the Friends of Johnson Hall with a grant from the Argersinger Charitable Trust. Next month we are taking the show on the road with a program on community beverages at the New York State Fair! Keep your eyes open for more details and we will hope to see you there!

07/28/2026

Interested in hearing one of the first true American plays, written shortly after the Revolution? Want to do a reading of an 18th century script inside an 18th century home? This is your chance - don't miss out! Call now to reserve your space for "The Revolutionary Stage," our upcoming event with Rachel Stewart of Troy's Scripts & Sips! Light refreshments will be provided.