Johnson Hall State Historic Site facts for kids
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Johnson Hall
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A 1903 painting despicts the presentation of medals to the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy in 1772
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Johnstown, New York |
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| Built | 1763 |
| Architect | Peter Harrison (1716-1775) |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000520 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
Johnson Hall State Historic Site was the home of Sir William Johnson (1715–1774). He was an important Irish pioneer. He became a powerful British official in charge of Native American affairs in the Province of New York. Sir William was especially known for his strong friendships with the Mohawk and other Iroquois League nations.
Johnson Hall is located in Johnstown, New York. You can find it at Hall Avenue, West State Street, and Johnson Avenue.
Contents
The Story of Johnson Hall
Building a New Home
Sir William Johnson built Johnson Hall in 1763. It was located about seven miles from the Mohawk River. A nearby stream, Hall Creek, was important. It provided enough water to power a sawmill and later a grist mill.
The house was made of wood. However, the wood planks were designed to look like stone. Sir William hired a famous architect named Peter Harrison to design his home. A carpenter named Samuel Fuller helped build it. Some ideas for the house came from a magazine called Builders' Companion.
Defending the Frontier
Sir William also built two strong stone buildings. These were for defense against attacks. This was important because the British had just finished a big war with the French, called the Seven Years' War. The stone buildings were also used for storage and other everyday needs.
Life at Johnson Hall
Sir William Johnson founded the city of Johnstown, New York. He owned a huge estate of about 400,000 acres. He moved into Johnson Hall in 1763 and lived there until he passed away in 1774.
After his death, his son, John Johnson, inherited the house. During the American Revolution, the Johnson family supported the British. They were called Loyalists. Because of this, the government in New York took Johnson Hall. In 1779, the state sold the house to a man named Silas Talbot.
Johnson Hall Today
For many years, Johnson Hall was a private home. Different families lived there. In 1906, the state of New York bought the house. They wanted to protect it and open it as a house museum. It would show what life was like for an important colonial landowner.
The house was repaired in the early 1900s and again in the 1950s. These repairs removed later additions to make the house look more like it did when Sir William lived there. The historic site covers more than 18 acres of land. The main mansion and the West Stonehouse are the only original buildings. The East Stonehouse is a copy built later.
In 1960, Johnson Hall was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States.
See also
