The Johnstown Public Library is located in Johnstown, New York. The library is a 1902 Andrew Carnegie Library, built with funds donated by Mr. Carnegie and the residents of Johnstown. It is open seven days a week during the school year and five days during the summer months. Its holdings total over 40,000 pieces and of particular interest is the special collection of materials dedicated to preserving Johnstown history. In addition to Johnstown history, the collection supports the history of surrounding towns and villages in both Fulton and nearby Montgomery County. Included in the Local History collection are books, vertical files, diaries, Federal Census dating from 1790, church records, cemetery records and much more. Johnstown is part of Fulton County, covering 58,000 square miles. Fulton County was originally included in a much larger land boundary known as Tryon County, but by 1838 much of Tryon had broken into smaller counties with Fulton being one of them. The city of Johnstown has a population of approximately 9,000 people and traces its earliest inhabitants to the Iroquois Nations. It was in 1738 that Sir William Johnson came to this region from County West Meath in Ireland to become caretaker for his uncle Peter Warren’s lands, some 10,000 acres on the Mohawk River. By 1742, William had begun purchasing lands northwest of the Mohawk for himself. He eventually established a new town, now known as Johnstown. It was here that he built his baronial home, which still stands today and is on the National Registry of Historical Sites. Other historically important sites are the Fulton County Courthouse, built in 1772 and the Union Hall Inn, built in 1798. The courthouse is believed to be the oldest one still in use in the nation. It was here that Aaron Burr defended Solomon Southwick against charges of bribery. Union Hall Inn continues to be run as a restaurant and holds over 200 years of history, including a story of murder. It is here that Sir William Johnson met with the people of the Iroquois Nations. His role as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for New York gave him a unique opportunity to encourage an interactive community life between the new settlers and the Native Americans. His rapport with them enabled him to convince them that they should side with the Americans in the war with the French. Historians believe that if it had not been for his relations with the Indians, much of northern New York would now be part of Canada. While Johnstown may not be the oldest settlement in the Mohawk Valley, it was an important central location for governmental, social, and political events. The scope of land boundaries has changed over the years, but the small city of Johnstown has changed little with the passing of time. There is a strong sense of loyalty to community and family. The inhabitants remain because it offers them a pleasant and secure place to do business and raise their families. Industries have come and gone, but the people have survived and continue to enjoy a comfortable life here. |
