The Johnstown Historical Society is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a large scale America 250 event in the historic downtown Johnstown district in 2026 during the 4th of July weekend. This event will be a multifaceted event featuring lectures, storytelling, living history, specialty tours, hands-on activities, entertainment, food, and so much more. We are working with the Fulton County Historian, City of Johnstown, and the Committee for Tourism and Special Events as well as a number of other not for profit organizations such as the Johnstown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Masons of St. Patrick’s Lodge.
At this time our plans include having a number of historic locations open and available to visit in a loop around the downtown center where a trolley or shuttle will allow people to easily hop from site to site around town. We have invited all of our neighboring historical sites and organizations to set up a booth in the park to display and talk about history or sell goods adjacent to our activities. We are hiring performers, story tellers, and musicians to provide historic entertainment in the band shell as well as some of the other sites people can visit like The Drumm House, James Burk’s Inn, The Masonic Lodge and more.
The main event for the weekend will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the courthouse steps on the 250th anniversary. There will also be a huge replica of the document for visitors to sign their John Hancock too. Additionally, representatives from Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Hometown Association will read the Declaration of Sentiments as well.
In order for us to make the majority of this event free and open to the public we are seeking sponsors to support this event that will not only help us educate and preserve our history but also increase our local tourism economy.
Below is information on sponsorship levels for this event:
Level 1: $150 includes website listing & social media thank you.
Level 2: $500 includes previous perks plus logo on website & thank you on maps & schedule and logo on some signage. 10 available.
Site Sponsor: $1000 previous perks plus header signage at assigned site & promo table on site. Only 8 sites available.
Bandshell Sponsor: $2500 Previous perks and bandshell banner prominent logo placement plus 2 tickets to special brunch event. Limited to one.
Main Event Sponsor: $5000 Website listing, social media branding, logo on maps & schedule, prominent logo on several key banners and posters, promotional table at prominent downtown location, 4 tickets to special brunch event. Limited to one.