Johnston Farm & Indian Agency Native American, Frontier, and Canal History

Letter from the American Association of Museums President, Ford W. Bell, DVM, January 11, 2011 to Mr. Burt Logan. Executive Director, Ohio Historical Society regarding the accreditation of six OHS sites, including The Johnston Farm & Indian Agency:

Dear Mr. Logan,

The American Association of Museums salutes you and your colleagues at the Ohio Historical Society in attaining re-accreditation. 

By achieving this milestone, the Ohio Historical Society and its Johnston Farm and Indian Agency site, has confirmed something the people of Ohio likely already knew: it is one of the outstanding museum systems in America.  The Society has demonstrated its commitment to excellence in every thing it does; in its governance, its strategic and financial planning, its collections stewardship and in its overall operations.

Of America's estimated 17.500 museums, 779 are accredited. That's 4.5 percent.  This elite group includes such well-known institutions as The Smithsonian in Washington, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Field Museum in Chicago, and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

But perhaps the truest indication of the value of accreditation - and the value that accredited museums brig to their communities - is that this is an entirely self-motivated process.  The Ohio Historical Society took it upon itself to see how it measured up against the highest standards of the museum field.  And it proved it was one of the finest institutions in the nation.  All of us at the American Association of Museums congratulate the museum and the people of Ohio for creating an supporting such an exemplary institution.

Sincerely,

Ford W. Bell, D.V.M.

Letter from the Ohio Senate, honoring the Johnston Farm and Indian Agency for exemplary achievement from Senator Tom Niehaus, President of the Ohio Senate. and Senator Bill Beagle, 5th Senatorial District.

On behalf of the members of the Senate of the 129th General Assembly of Ohio, we are pleased to congratulate the Johnston Farm and Indian Agency for its effort to preserve area history.  John Johnston was a local farmer who served as an Indian Agent from 1812 to 1829, and his house and barn, a modern museum, and an ancient earthwork mound nearby show visitors two thousand years of Ohio history and prehistory.  The accreditation of the site is a justifiable source of pride and an excellent reflection not only on the facility itself but also on its hardworking staff and volunteers, on the Ohio Historical Society, and on the Piqua community.

In this modern era, in which the durability of goods and values is often measured in days rather than years and decades, it is not only enlightening but also satisfying to discover that some representatives of the past still stand for future generations as a record of, and a monument to, previous events.  The Johnston Farm and Indian Agency has certainly made positive contributions to the State of Ohio, demonstrating the rich heritage of bygone days.

Thus, with sincere pleasure, we commend the Johnston Farm and Indian Agency on being accredited by the American Association of Museums and extend best wishes for ongoing success.

Senator Tom Niehaus, President of the Ohio Senate

Senator Bill Beagle, 5th Senatorial District

Letter from R. B. Smith on the occasion of the Johnston Farm & Indian Agency accreditation:

To Whom It May Concern,

As far as I am concerned the Johnston Farm is the premier site in all the Ohio Historical Society (OHS).  All of the Johnston Farm exhibits and staff are second to none.  The staff is the most knowledgeable that I have ever experienced over the last 30 years in many visits to historical sites such as the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Michigan, the Shaker Village in Kentucky, many exhibits in the Washington D.C. area, and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.  Perhaps the staff greatest contribution is their love of what they are doing.  They have completed extensive research on their own time in order to make our visits there most enjoyable and informative.  When they tell you how things were made or what the times were like, you can count on 100% accuracy.

The General Harrison canal boat is second to none.  I have ridden on canal boats in Ohio, Indiana, and Washington D.C. and none of them compare with the General Harrison.  I have been going to the Johnston Farm for over 17 years and it is always a must to ride on the General Harrison several times each season.  Summer or Fall - it doesn't make a difference - the mules are always ready to pull and the Captain is ready to take you back in to a time when travel was slower but the expansion of the state was going at a frantic pace.  Overnight towns grew up out of the Ohio wilderness as the canal joined Toledo and Cincinnati.  I believe you cannot understand the history of Ohio without understanding the history of the canal.  It took Ohio from walking, horseback, and wagons to smooth travel with speed and the capability to carry huge loads of supplies and other goods.  And just when I think I know it all, I always leave having learned at least one more thing - and if I didn't, I wouldn't go back.

 Finally, special events such as the 'Evening on the Canal' and the annual 'Christmas Dinner' are tremendous and cannot be missed.  Where else can you see Indians, traders and the Johnston Family preparing and serving a scrumptious dinner?  The Johnston Farm is the crown jewel of the OHS!

Sincerely, R. B. Smith, Dayton OH