Johnson Hall plan is focus of web talk
Public can register for online discussion of historic site’s future
Back on this month in 1978, local high school students Mary Beth Kirby, Margaret Di Donna and Paul Maguire paint the interior decor of the Palace Theater in Albany.
An online public meeting on the future of Johnson Hall State Historic Site will take place at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation staff will make a presentation about the draft master plan and be available for a question and answer session afterward. Free registration in advance of the online meeting is required in order to attend. To register, e-mail Johnsonhall. plan@parks.ny.gov no later than noon Tuesday.
Johnson Hall is the former residence of Sir William Johnson, a prominent 18th century landowner and Colonial official at the time of the settlement of the Mohawk Valley. The site has drawn more than a half-million visitors since 2010, according to the state agency.
All comments on the draft documents are welcome. An online version of the draft is available at: https://parks. ny.gov/inside-our-agency/master-plans.aspx.
Signs and posters of the draft master plan will be posted on-site at Johnson Hall, 139
Hall Ave., Johnstown, starting Wednesday.
Written comments on the Draft Master PLAN/DEIS will be accepted until close of business on Wednesday, Aug. 12, and may be submitted to Johnsonhall. plan@parks.ny.gov.
Following the comment period, the parks agency will post a final master plan and environmental impact statement.
More Fulton County history
Fulton County Historian Samantha Hall-saladino will be on Facebook Live exploring
The cause of the accident in Portlandville in Otsego County that caused the automobile of a Schenectady man to crash through a guardrail on the side of the road and flip over several times as it rolled down the embankment before landing right side up in the Susquehanna River was finally determined: it was the work of a bee. Morris E. Blau and his wife, as well as their two passengers, which included a 13-year-old boy, escaped serious injury. But apparently while the group was driving along, the stowaway stinger landed on one of the car’s occupants. Blau, in an effort to brush the bee from the person’s clothing, took his eyes off the road and swerved the motorcar into the rail.
— Times Union, July 19, 1920
An ecumenical venture to help with community problems shows signs of success in South Troy. The Rev. Margaret “Peggy” Howland, pastor of Woodside Presbyterian Church, recruited priests, laymen and politicians to help with the South End Summer Program consisting of a day camp and teen center. She came to Troy in December 1968 and immediately sensed the need among youth. The next summer, she helped start a limited summer program. This year, she approached other churches for help and involved various ethnic groups. More than 300 children were registered with the camp program using Hudson Valley Community College facilities. An average of 50 teenagers nightly visited the teen center at 497 First St. Counselors help keep “drugs and drunkenness” at bay and provide instruction for youths whose parents are at work.
— Times Union, July 19, 1970
stories from the community’s past.
At noon Wednesday join a board member of the Johnstown