2010 Calendar of Events

A Taste of History
September 11 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Our second annual fall fundraiser. Sample a variety of homemade soups/stews or chowders, breads and desserts made by local cooks. Adult admission is $20.00 Children admission is $10.00 and includes a commemorative cookbook of all the recipes. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information: Click Here



Behind the Ropes - The Architecture of the Old Fort
Wednesday, September 15 6:30 p.m.

Ron Burch, curator of the NYS Museum art and architecture collections, and Scott Haefner, site manager of Old Fort Johnson, will conduct a “behind the ropes” tour of Old Fort Johnson. Focusing on the building’s architecture rather than the collections of the Montgomery County Historical Society headquartered at Old Fort Johnson, the presentation will highlight the design, construction, and subsequent modifications to what is arguably the first “great house” west of Schenectady, built in 1749. Due to the nature of the tour, space is limited to 15 people.

For more information or to reserve your space, please call 843-0300 or e-mail

Admission is $2.00 and members of the Montgomery County Historical Society are free.

Author Book Signing & Lecture
Sunday, October 10th

Richard Berleth, author of The Bloody Mohawk: The French and Indian War and American Revolution on New York’s Frontier will be speaking and signing books at Old Fort Johnson.

The Bloody Mohawk, is a narrative history of the Mohawk River Valley and surrounding region from 1713 to1794, that charts the passage of the valley from a fast-growing agrarian region streaming with colonial traffic to a war-ravaged wasteland. It was reviewed in our spring newsletter.

Richard Berleth received his Ph.D from Rutgers University in 1970 and is currently Chair of the Communication Arts Department at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Previously he taught English at Pace University and Russell Sage College, was a managing editor for Time/Life Books, a marketing manager for McGraw-Hill, and a senior vice president at Simon & Schuster.

Voices of the Past
Saturday, October 16th 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For the third year the Old Fort will be filled with voices of the past at the evening, candle-light event. Join us as we celebrate New York State Archives month with this program highlighting readings from documents, diaries, letters and newspaper accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries. Guided tours of select, candle-lit rooms in the Old Fort will be given approximately every 25 minutes between 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All tours are given on a first come, first served basis. Tours are limited to 12 people per tour. Tours are $5.00 per person.

Holidays at Old Fort Johnson
Saturday and Sunday December 4 & 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The holidays return this year with a special twist. Join us on December 4 & 5 and see selected rooms in the Old Fort decorated according to a different holiday song. The Wassail Song, Deck the Hall, Oh Christmas Tree, the Holly and the Ivy are just a few of the carols that could be represented. Each room will have a different theme and will be decorated by local decorators.

Calling all decorators!! If you are interested in getting a group together to decorate a room, give us a call at 518-843-0300 or send us an e-mail at and we’ll be glad to talk to you about how you can participate in what will be a most fun event.

Past Events


May 22 – Woven Through History - Opening Day at Old Fort Johnson

Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Join us for the opening of our new exhibit – Woven Through History- featuring the 19th century coverlets of Mohawk Valley weaver Xavier Gartner that were donated to the Society by master weaver, the late Gene Valk. The day will feature demonstrations of 18th and 19th century weaving, spinning, counted cross stitch and other hand work. Guest speaker, Marjie Thompson will talk about Xavier Gartner’s weaving and Gene Valk’s legacy. This event is free and open to the public however, donations are welcomed. Old Fort Johnson is located at the intersection of Routes 5 & 67 in Fort Johnson, NY. MORE INFO on this EVENT.
 

June 16 - Evenings at the Old Fort

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Join us on the third Wednesday evening of the month for a newly launched series that will feature demonstrations, lectures and activities for all. Our first evening will focus on costumes and clothing with guest speaker Robin Campbell, recently retired Associate Curator with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Admission is $2.00 and members of the Montgomery County Historical Society are free.

July 21 – Evenings at the Old Fort

6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

This evening’s program will be a dulcimer workshop with Lori Keddell. Ms. Keddell has been playing dulcimer for more than 23 years, and has taught classes and workshops in New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Admission is $2.00 and members of the Montgomery County Historical Society are free.
 

Christmas in July CD Release Party

Saturday, July 24 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark is pleased to announce a Christmas in July CD release party for Liaisons Plaisantes, the 18th century period musicians quintet, on Saturday, July 24th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

This candlelight evening program will feature the members of Liaison Plaisantes, Ronald Burch, Susan Casler, Olof Jansson, Marilee Urbanczyk and Sue-Ann Wheadon, who will be selling and autographing copies their just released, first ever CD entitled A Plaisantes Christmas. In keeping with the theme of the new CD, the formal parlors of Old Fort will be decorated for the holiday season and holiday refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to all.

August 18 – Evenings at the Old Fort

A Revolution is Brewing.

Wednesday, August 18 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

2nd Albany County Militia/Reenactor Harvey Alexander will be on hand to talk about colonial beer brewing.
Beer played an important role in the economic, social and political life of most colonial families. Ale and beer was a major dietary staple. Infants were fed beer and it was especially recommended for nursing mothers. Farmers, laborers, merchants, lawyers, and craftsman all drank beer. It was a common thread in all their lives and this democratic beverage would even play a role in the formation of government. We hope youÕll join us and discover why

Benjamin Franklin said "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Admission is just $2.00 and members of the Montgomery County Historical Society are free.

 

August 21 – Movie Night at the Old Fort

8:30 pm

This year’s movie will be the 1920 silent movie version of The Last of the Mohicans. Bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds of the Old Fort before the movie. This event is free and open to all. The movie will begin approximately 8:30 p.m. preceded by a brief introduction. Typical movie refreshments will be available.

 

Garden Teas

Join us for a relaxing cup of tea while enjoying the gardens and grounds of Old Fort Johnson. Now in its fifth season, Afternoon Tea in the Garden has become a summer tradition. The cost is $15.00 per person and includes tea, savory tea sandwiches, assorted sweets and fresh fruit. Dates for 2010 are: Tuesdays, July 13, August 10 and September 14. Seating is limited. Reservations are required by calling 518-843-0300.