| |
|
| The
Johnston Farm
|
| at
Upper Piqua
|
| |
| The focal point of this
peaceful 200-acre park is John Johnston --farmer, public
official, and United States Indian Agent for western Ohio from
1812 to 1829. Here Johnston's numerous contributions to
the growth of early Ohio and settlement of frontier America are
presented in a truly unique and beautiful setting. |
| |
| Today, visitors enjoy the
home and farm of this most extraordinary man much as it appeared
in 1829. Preserved and furnished structures include Johnston's
two-story mixed Dutch Colonial/Georgian style farmhouse, a
unique two-story spring house, and a cider house. Costumed
interpreters and craft demonstrators provide farm tours and
display activities in the summer kitchen and fruit kiln areas. A
mammoth double-penned log barn, constructed in 1808, is reputed
to be the oldest and largest of its type in Ohio, and is still
in use on the grounds. Nearby a ring-shaped mound earthwork
discovered and preserved by Johnston was constructed by
people of the Adena culture over 2,000 years ago. |
| |
| Afterwards,
guests may enjoy a ride aboard the General Harrison, a replica
70 foot-long mixed cargo canal boat often used for
transportation of passengers and cargo in the 19th century.
Costumed guides direct the mule-drawn boat to provide an
authentic and memorable experience for all.
The Piqua Historical Area State Memorial
was established as Ohio's 47th state historic site in 1965. The Johnston farm and Miami & Erie Canal areas were
formally opened on 3 September 1972, with the dedication of the
museum facility following on 20 May 1973. Today the site is
administered through the Ohio Historical Society's Site
Operations Department.
|
| |
Unless otherwise noted, the
cost for each program is the regular site admission fee:
$7.00/adults, $3.00/students. Ohio Historical Society members,
Piqua Friends, as well as children 5 and under are admitted
free. AAA and Senior Citizen discounts are honored. Please
note that some programs require advance registration.
Site
hours: Visitors planning to come to the Piqua Historical
Area in 2009 should be aware of changes to the operating
schedule that have become necessary due to budget reductions
in response to funding reductions to the Ohio Historical
Society. Beginning Saturday, March 28 the Piqua Historical
Area, along with Ohio Historical Society offices in Columbus,
and other select sites across Ohio will be closed for one
week. The Piqua site will reopen on Monday, April 6. At that
time the site will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00
a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in both April and May, with no weekend
hours. This change allows the site to be more available to
area schools that may wish to visit this spring. Beginning in
June until the end of August, the site will be open Thursday
and Friday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday and
Sunday the hours will be Noon until 5:00 p.m. During those
hours the Woodland Indian and Canal Museum, General Harrison
canal boat, and the Johnston home will be staffed and
operating as in past years. After the Labor Day Weekend and
the Piqua Heritage Festival, the site will operate on the
Monday through Friday schedule again to accommodate schools.
The Piqua
Historical Area is located 3 miles north of Piqua, Ohio off SR
66 on Hardin Road. Call 937-773-2522 or 1-800-752-2619 for
additional information.
|
| |
|
2009 Program
Calendar
Life
on an Indian Agency
Saturday, July 11, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July
12, 2009, Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Come to the home of John Johnston and take part in
demonstrations of many of the skills needed for the daily life
of both Native and Euro Americans at the time that this was a
Federal Indian Agency in the early 1800's. A special feature
each day will be a presentation highlighting second son
Abraham Robinson Johnston, his life, military career, and his
untimely demise in the Mexican War. Many activities will be
hands-on so each visitor can experience first-hand how our
ancestors made a life for themselves. This is an excellent
event for the entire family. Bring a picnic and complete the
day.
An
Evening of Feasting, Music, and Canawling
Saturday, August 15, 2009, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing dinner in the Historic Indian and Canal
Museum. Guests will then continue their evening with a
twilight ride on the replica canal boat General Harrison as it
plies the entire length of our restored stretch of the Miami
and Erie Canal. Passengers will be entertained with dulcimer
music as they experience the canal from an entirely different
perspective. This unique opportunity is offered once each
season and is a RESERVATION ONLY event so call either
800-752-2619 or 773-2522 beginning July 1 to book your passage
by August 7.
COST: $30.00/adults, $25.00/children 6-12, $25.00 & $20.00
for Ohio Historical Society members and Piqua Friends
An Irish Christmas on the Farm
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. -
6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
This very special holiday event begins with a dinner in John
Johnston's dining room featuring a traditional seasonal menu
from the Johnston's era. From there guests will visit each
room of the home decorated for the holidays with an Irish
twist. The Johnston Farm Mummers will present an Irish
entertainment and the evening will conclude with dessert by the
fireplace in the winter kitchen where Johnston's mother
Elizabeth will share stories of her life as a single mother in
Pennsylvania and Ohio. This is a RESERVATION ONLY event; so
call either 773-2522 or 800-752-2619 to confirm your spot for
this very unique holiday event.
COST: $30.00/adults, $25.00/children to age 12, $25.00 and
$20.00 for Ohio Historical Society members and Piqua Friends |
|
|
|
|
|
| The
Piqua Historical Area State Memorial is one of sixty sites
operated by the Ohio Historical Society. The Society is a
non-profit organization that serves as the State's partner in
preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, archaeology, and
natural history. Visit them on the web at www.ohiohistory.org. |
|
