Johnson Hall Annual Holiday Open House

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: On Saturday, December 6th, from 𝟱:𝟬𝟬-𝟴:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺, the Hall will be set for an evening of candlelit festivities as the house comes to life with 18th century decorations, living-history interpreters in the rooms, live 18th century music, hearth cooking interpretation, and cider and baked treats by the fire in the Hall’s west stone house.

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: For those preferring a daytime visit, the Hall will also be open Sunday, December 7th afternoon from 𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗻-𝟯:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺. This is an additional opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the house and its décor in daylight, experience 18th century carols and poems, learn about holiday meal preparation, and partake of cider and baked treats in the west stone house, as you learn more about the seasonal holidays enjoyed by the Johnson family in a quieter setting.

The Friends of Johnson Hall will also be hosting their annual 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲 both Saturday and Sunday during the event with a special 20% discount. The proceeds from this sale will support preservation, restoration, and interpretation at the historic site. The book shop is newly restocked with an expanded selection of titles and authors!

𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗼, in December of 1775, Johnson Hall would have observed Christmas and St. John’s Day under the dark cloud of the early Revolution. Fearing the violence already visited on many of their friends and family by Revolutionary forces, those gathering at the Hall that Winter in this season of peace did so behind the protection of a wooden palisade and armed guards. It would be the final holiday season that the Johnsons spent at the Hall before it was confiscated in May of 1776, and the family arrested or driven out by the new Revolutionary government.

Johnson Hall has recreated an example of these fortifications as part of the site’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Revolution. In addition to the indoor festivities, this year's holiday event will feature reenactors interpreting the tenants and servants of the household standing guard on the defenses.