Recent Friends Projects
Donations, grants and income from Friends of Johnson Hall fund-raising events are used to enhance the preservation and interpretation of Johnson Hall.
The Front Parlors
Period creamware and other dishes now add accurate details that contribute to the magnificence of the rooms.
The Children’s Bedroom
Authentic period wallpapers, textiles and glazing have been restored to the children’s bedroom on the first floor.
Sir William’s Bedroom
Sir William’s bedroom and office now has authentic period wallpaper, green glazed paneling and a full set of bed hangings documented in Johnson’s historic records.
The Stair Hall
The majestic front entrance hall has been completely restored with its painted parquet floorcloth, faux-grained paneling, hand-blocked reproduction 18th century wallpaper and a brass ceiling lantern.
Telling The Stories of Johnson Hall
1776 Disarming The Hall
In January 2026, Friends supported the 250th anniversary reenactment of the Albany militia disarming the fortifications at Johnson Hall.
Hearth & Hall Foodways
Funds raised by the Friends have been used to purchase cooking implements and food for live exhibitions of colonial cooking and interpretation of the lives of the enslaved at Johnson Hall.
Trade Bale presentation with kids
Educational Outreach programming for hundreds of children a year in schools across the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys is enriched with funds raised by the Friends.
Sir William’s Funeral Procession
The 1774 Funeral for Sir William Johnson was recreated in 2024, along with programming discussing 18th century funeral practices. Friends underwrote the event with grants from the NY Council for the Humanities
Holiday Open House
Every December Johnson Hall is open for a candlelit night portraying 18th century holiday decorations and the Johnson family enjoying an evening of food, cards and music with a houseful of guests. Friends help staff the mansion and man the gift shop to raise funds for their work.
1774 Indian conference
The Anniversary of the 1774 Indian Department Conference on site brought Mohawks, natives of other tribes, and living historians together to recreate the last conference led by Sir William Johnson as British Superintendent of Native Affairs.
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