Sir William Johnson Hall, Johnstown, NY
Audio Excerpt | Current Photo | Historic Picture

Interview with: Ms. Bonnie Pulis, Interpretive Programs Assistant
Interviewed by: Ryan Callery, Cassie Cirillo, Justine Case, Christopher Lavigne, Jennifer Jurica and Deb Callery
Interview date: May 18, 2001

Transcript of audio excerpt:

Ryan Callery: Why do you think this building is historically valuable?

Bonnie Pulis: Oh, many reasons, Ryan. It's historically valuable because it was the home of Sir William Johnson who was superintendent of Indian Affairs for the British Northern Colonies. It was the center of the Indian Department.

There were at any given times as many as 600 Indians on the grounds who came to see Sir William. It was a vast estate. It was a little larger than a square mile and there were shops and mills and buildings that helped to make it self-sufficient. It was almost like a village.

There were 200 slaves and servants just to take care of the gardens and the grounds and a household staff of 20 just to take care of the house. So it is significant because it was the home of Sir William Johnson. It was also one of the finest homes at that time and it was built in the wilderness, this was the frontier; there was nothing around. And today, of course, it's significant because it's 238 years old and still standing. It's remarkable because it's in good shape and remarkable because it's made of wood and in our climate for a wooden house to have survived natural causes, fires, lightning….

 

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