We end our 2024 season with a bang – come help us raise a model barn to learn how post & beam buildings like Old Fort Johnson are built. Barn raisings begin at 11:30 and 2:30. We’ll also be making fresh apple cider and baking goodies in the outdoor bake oven all day long. Admission is by donation – all the money raised today will go towards our match for a grant to replace our roof next year.
Tag: Old Fort Johnson
Events
Stephen Bruce Medd “If Lilacs Could Sing”
Canadian singer/songwriter Stephen Bruce Medd performs ballads and original folk songs inspired by the history and landscapes of Ontario, the Bay of Quinte & Kingston – the region settled by displaced Loyalists and Haudenosaunee from the Mohawk Valley. Enjoy a summer evening of music on the lawn of Old Fort Johnson. Held indoors in case of rain.
Ragtime, Jazz & a Little Bit of Swing with Matt Tolentino
Join us on the lawn of Old Fort Johnson for a rousing concert of music from the early 1900s with master musician Matt Tolentino. It’s not just Jazz in July – we’ll hear ragtime & swing & everything that was playing in the early years of the Montgomery County Historical Society. We’re celebrating our 120th anniversary! Concert donations will go to the Roof Restoration Fund.
Fall Foliage Report: October 16-22
I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report (opens in a new tab) ” on September 11 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Montgomery County has started its own annual report this year as well.
Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 75%
Brilliance: Average to bright
Predominating colors: Oranges and yellows are really showing off
Rating: Near peak to peak
As temperatures drop, more bright colors are emerging. The upper edges of the Mohawk Valley are nearer peak so a drive along the Mohawk River provides an explosion of fine fall foliage. Fingers crossed the rain doesn’t put a damper on the leaf peeping. Leaves that changed earlier in the season have already fallen with the help of wind and rain.
This weekend is full with a variety of events including the annual Halloween Parade (opens in a new tab) in Amsterdam, a Taste of Chocolate & Basket Fundraiser (opens in a new tab) for the Frothingham Free Library, an Evening at Nellis Tavern (opens in a new tab) , Old Fort Johnson’s Harvest Festival (opens in a new tab) , a concert from the Mohawk Valley Chamber Ensemble (opens in a new tab) , and an Open House (opens in a new tab) at an alpaca farm.
This Friday and Saturday the Historic League of Amsterdam presents Ghosts of the Past: A Haunted History Tour of Green Hill Cemetery (opens in a new tab) . Meet past notable Amsterdam residents and learn their stories while experiencing beautiful and historic Green Hill Cemetery. All tours begin and end at Amsterdam City Hall. Free refreshments provided. Tour times for both Friday and Saturday nights are 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30pm. Tickets are available at the Book Hound and Damiano’s Flowers.
Saturday the VanAlstyne Homestead & Museum (opens in a new tab) is holding the 8th Annual Soup Tasting & Craft Fair (opens in a new tab) . There will be delicious soups donated by local chefs, and eateries, fall seasoned crafts available by vendors from far and wide, and delicious harvest specialties grown by local producers. There will also be local and international artists on hand with their beautiful works on display. Live music will be performed in the century old ballroom, museum tours will be available, as well as a 50/50 raffle.
The Arkell Museum (opens in a new tab) presents Adirondack Lumber Camp Songs (opens in a new tab) on Sunday afternoon. Join in for an afternoon of rousing lumberjack songs. Enjoy the music and learn about this tough, rough, and crucial work. This program also includes informative narratives about Adirondack Mountain logging camps in the 1800s. This program runs about an hour and is most enjoyable for older children and adults. Admission is free. Donations are always welcome and help support future programs.
Explore our countryside, enjoy our events (opens in a new tab) , and take in the autumn season!
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.743.7337
Fall Foliage Report: September 25-October 1
I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report (opens in a new tab) ” on September 11 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Montgomery County has started its own annual report this year as well.
Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 20%
Brilliance: Dull to average as more color emerges
Predominating colors: Greens with pops of orange and reds developing
Rating: Beginning with a lot more brilliant and beautiful colors to come
Green is still predominant with more orange and yellow showing through.
Enjoy a night of music and dancing! Friday night at the Elk’s Lodge in Amsterdam, Grand Central Station (opens in a new tab) will perform; wings and craft brews will be available to purchase.
Saturday features A Taste of History, the Garden Bug Fall Festival, Family Fun Day, the Friends of Sanford Stud Farm Open House and so much more (opens in a new tab) . 
The Friends of Sanford Stud Farm Open House (opens in a new tab) will feature food trucks, vendors, and crafters. Tour the historical Hurricana Barn and enjoy a variety of local vendors.
Mohawk Valley Collective (opens in a new tab) in collaboration with the Fort Plain Free Library (opens in a new tab) host “Family Fun Day (opens in a new tab) ” in Haslett Park, Fort Plain. Including the popular Chalk-on-the-Walk where art is drawn on the sidewalk around the park, a bounce house, and many other family friendly events. Food and ice cream will also be available.
The Montgomery County Historical Society’s annual fall fundraiser, A Taste of History (opens in a new tab) , features over a dozen soups, along with freshly baked breads and homemade pies. Benefiting the preservation of Old Fort Johnson (opens in a new tab) , this year’s event will be held at the Century Club (opens in a new tab) in Amsterdam. Seating is limited seating and advance tickets are recommended. Admission includes unlimited soup samples, bread, pie, beverage and a special souvenir mug. Tickets can be purchased online (opens in a new tab) .
The annual Garden Bug Fall Festival (opens in a new tab) will have a variety of agricultural products and fall decor available for purchase: mums, pumpkins, indian corn, bows, hay bales, corn stalks, and more. Vendors and crafters will be on hand both Saturday and Sunday. Music, bounce house, cider donuts, wagon rides, car cruise-in (Saturday only beginning at noon), food and gifts are all available.
Explore our countryside, enjoy our events (opens in a new tab) , and take in the autumn season!
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.743.7337
Fall Foliage Report: October 10-16
I LOVE NY started the “New York Fall Foliage Report (opens in a new tab) ” on September 12 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Montgomery County has started its own annual report this year as well.
Reporting station: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site (opens in a new tab) , Fort Hunter
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 30%
Brilliance: Average
Predominating colors: Still green with more red, orange, yellow coming out
Rating: Midpoint
This week has more color coming through with yellows and oranges and some reads. It would be a great time to take a ride and see the fall foliage. There are also many events happening on Saturday throughout the county!
The Village of Ames Museum (opens in a new tab) will be open 9am to 3pm.
Celebrate the fall harvest and take advantage of your last chance of the season to visit Old Fort Johnson (opens in a new tab) and the 1918 exhibit. This open house features outdoor baking, fresh apple cider pressing and other family activities. Free admission all day, donations are always welcome. The event is 10am-4pm.
From 11am-4pm, the Glen Conservancy (opens in a new tab) and the 77th NY Regimental Balladeers will host Harvest Fest (opens in a new tab) in the hamlet of Glen. Events will take place in and around Conservancy Hall and will include activities at the Glen Cottage Farms, and at the Rustic Red House at the Glen Country Store at the confluence of Routes 30A and 161. Music, face painting, pumpkin painting, flower arranging, and more.
The Palatine Settlement Society invites the public to the annual “Afternoon at the Tavern (opens in a new tab) .” This event is scheduled for Saturday from 1–4pm, and will be held at the historic 1747 Nellis Tavern in St. Johnsville.
There will be a variety of beer and cider provided by Wolf Hollow and Rogers Cidery. Soup and bread will also be served. Tickets, available in advance, are $15 per person with a limited number of tickets available at the door.
Explore our countryside, enjoy our events (opens in a new tab) , and take in the autumn season!
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.743.7337