Revolutionary Raid Reenactment at Johnson Hall

In commemoration of the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution, Johnson Hall State Historic Site will host a special reenactment of the first raid on the Johnson family home and the community of Johnstown. In January 1776, Revolutionary forces descended on Johnstown, disarming and arresting those accused of Loyalist sympathies. Some would remain under watchful parole. Others were brought to Albany or sent out of the New York colony for imprisonment, far from home and family.

On Saturday, January 17, 2026 join Johnson Hall for a recreation of this show of Revolutionary force. Learn about the weaponry seized from the Hall and the experiences of those deemed enemies of the Revolution. Patrons will experience living history interpretations including a reenactment of the disarming and arrests, weapons firing demonstrations, live hearth cooking, and an opportunity to explore Johnson Hall against the backdrop of the tumultuous opening days of the year 1776.

Visitors can also explore replica stockade fortifications constructed to resemble ones used to defend Johnson Hall in 1775 and 1776. These stockaded walls of vertical logs were a common defensive structure in North American warfare during the 18^th century. Concerned by the number of Loyalists in New York being arrested, exiled, or even killed, Sir John Johnson directed the building of such stockades to fortify Johnson Hall against attack. These replica stockades were constructed by hand using 18th century building techniques. 

This event is free and open to all. No registration required. For questions and further information, please call 518-762-8712.

Saturday, January 17, 2026 Event Schedule

• 10:30am to 12:00pm: Recreation of the disarming and arrests in Johnstown
• 12:30pm to 2:30pm: Ongoing living history interpretations

This event is part of a series commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution at Johnson Hall State Historic Site. On May 16 and 17, 2026, the site will recreate the May 1776 confiscation of Johnson Hall by the 3^rd New Jersey Regiment during a two-day reenactment.

Johnson Hall is located at 139 Hall Avenue in Johnstown, NY.  As the home of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant, it served as a seat of trade and diplomacy on the borderlands of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee and British colonial holdings in North America. The Hall is open for guided tours Wednesday through Sunday from mid-May through mid-October. For further information, please call (518) 762-8712, visit the site’s website or find Johnson Hall State Historic Site on Facebook.

PHOTO CAPTION: Replica stockade fortifications surround Johnson Hall State Historic Site in Johnstown, NY.

CREDIT: NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visits annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.