Life on an Indian Agency

This year our Indian Agency event focused on the spring and summer of 1812.  In March of 1812, John Johnston's impressive brick home officially became an Indian Agency - a place of haven and help for the Native Americans in his care during the war.  This transformed the Johnston's life, changing forever the destiny of their family.

Here are some of the sights of the weekend -

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to join us next year! 

Virtual June

Our July event is nearly upon us.  Come out and join us this weekend as we continue an exciting summer.  Attendance numbers are up!  Come out and be one of those who count!!

 

 

Images of our June event 2013

Fun for the family

 

 

Music on the back porch with the Arendt sisters 

 

Leah explains the joys of 18th century underpinnings.

 

Music on the shed porch

 

Bed keys and bed bugs!

 

 

Interpreter and crafts demonstartor Sheri spins her yarn

 

 

Always something to learn

 

 

Opening of the Patterson Brothers exhibit

 

Julia Patterson Chesire, a descendant of John Johnston's daughter, Julia Johnston Patterson, contemplates the portrait of her ancestor along with Andy Hite, site manager, Jim Oda, president of the Johnston Farm Friends Council, and a friend.

 

Mrs. Chesire and historical consultant, Lisa, chat with Marla Fair, house interpreter, in front of the Patterson exhibit housed in the main hall of the Johnston Farmhouse.

 

Mrs. Chesire shares a laugh with site volunteer Pat McGrew and Lisa.

 

 

Opening of the Pickawillany Objects exhibit

 

 

        Mrs. Chesire explores the Pickawillany exhibit located in the Indian Museum along with Lisa and site manager, Andy Hite.

An Exciting Summer is Just Around the Corner!

It's hard to believe that our official season is nearly one-quarter done.  By the end of May we will have seen nearly 2000 school children, entertaining and exciting them about history and the lives our pioneer ancestors lived.  Our longest traveling batch came from Indiana, and the schools include both public and private.  Soon we will take a break from 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade classes, and open our doors to the public for the summer months.  This year, there are many exciting things happening.  For more details, please visit www.johnstonfarmohio.com and check it out under the heading of 'NEWS'. 

Here's what is happening for May and June!

Saturday May 18th, 2013 - Car Show
The site will host a car show featuring cars of all types and times, including motorcycles and antique tractors.  Admission to both the car show and site are FREE that day.  House tours will run on the hour at one, two, and three o'clock.  The Indian Museum will be open from noon to four.  There will be a single boat ride at 2 p.m., traveling the entire length of the canal.  There will be a charge for the boat ride (the mules have to be fed!).  Prices for the ride are $3 for adults and $2 for school age children.  Come out and enjoy the site on a spring day!

 

Thursday May 30th, 2013 - Opening day!

SITE HOURS:     Thursday and Friday   10 - 5:00
                          Saturday and Sunday   Noon - 5:00

NEW HOUSE TOUR TIMES: 10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 & 4:00

GENERAL HARRISON CANAL BOAT TIMES:  12:30, 2:30 & 4:00

As well as opening to the public this day, we will also unveil the new Pickawillany Exhibit in the Indian Museum featuring items dug up on site during several field schools by Hocking College students and members of the Ohio Historical Society.   They (the items, not the students!) have been cleaned and cataloged and are now back where they belong.  Also included in the exhibit are objects belonging to the 18th century gunsmith, Thomas Burney, a survivor of Pickawillany, on loan from the estate of the late Dr. Alvin B. Salisbury, director of the now closed Museum of the Old Northwest Frontier in Lockington, OH.   Viewing of this new and permanent exhibit is included in the price of admission.  Be sure to watch for information about upcoming field schools and new items being added to the collection!

Saturday June 15th, 2013 - Johnston Farm Family & Friends Day
John Johnston’s family home will come alive with games and activities enjoyed in days past. Make this an early Father’s Day. Each dad or grandfather will be admitted free when accompanied by his family. Allow enough time to visit the Johnston’s home to learn how the family lived, take in the Historic Indian and Canal Museum to gain insight to the lives of the first people who called Ohio home, and don’t forget to include time in your day for a relaxing ride on the General Harrison of Piqua and relive the time when mules pulled boats and the world moved at four miles per hour.

Aso, on June 15th, the site will open to the public the traveling exhibit: Stories of the Civil War,: Letters from the Patterson Brothers. On Feruary 26, 1833, John Johnston's fourth daughter, Juliana, married Jefferson Patterson of Dayton, OH.  Among her distinguished sons was John Henry Patterson, who along with his brother Frank, founded NCR.  This exihibit tells the story of Julia and Jefferson's sons as they served their country during the war between the states using storyboards and letters as well as other items of the time.  Two of John Johnston's great-great-granddaughter's will be in attendance on opening day as well  as speakers from the Patterson Memorial Center.  Funding for this exhibit was made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council with support by the National Endowment for the Humanities.  The exihibit will be housed in the Johnston Farmhouse and will be included in the price of admission. 

 

 

 Keep coming back for more updates and listings of July's events!

Christmas in January

The holidays are over and the new year begun.  Time has flown quickly and we are just posting photos from this year's Christmas event.  If you missed it, there will be another one next season - but book quickly, we sell out well in advance of the event.