Press release from Historic Johnson Farm:
With the holidays just around the corner, start the season at an historic treasure in our community. “Christmas Tours at Historic Johnson Farm” will be held on a National Register of Historic Places property featuring10 historic structures on 15 acres. Masks and social distancing are required. The event will be held Monday- Friday December 1-22. Guided tours are at 10:30 am, $10 adults, $8 students. Reservations are required for guided tours. Self-guided tours are1-3 pm at $5 adults and $3 students.
The historic farmhouse will be festively decorated. (Many of the traditional festival activities are on hold until next year due to virus restrictions.) Admission includes:
Complimentary hot chocolate for guests touring the house.
Opportunity for children to make a craft.
Sale of small toys, plants, Santa hats and Christmas items in Interpretive Center.
Winter Time Traveler Baskets are for sale, featuring over 10 crafts, activities, and lessons with all supplies for elementary-age children and gift-giving at $25 ($20 for additional ones).
The 1923 boarding house, home to the Heritage Weavers, is a stop on the guided tour. Their gift shop is open from 11-12:30.
The grounds will be open for walking, viewing the farm’s donkeys and goats and use of the farm picnic tables weather permitting.
An online auction of interesting items and services benefitting the farm will be held December 1-9 at https//www.32auctions.com/historicjohnsonfarm2020
The farmhouse was built by hand from 1876-1880. It is believed to be the oldest standing brick home in Henderson County. The Christmas season was a special time for Johnson family members, who were known for their generosity. Their home was among the first in our county to get electricity. For many Christmas seasons, they placed their tree decorated with colorful lights on the front porch. Travelers enjoyed the glow of the display to and from town in the evenings. Throughout the year and especially at holidays, Sallie Johnson was known for her delicious cakes. The farm grounds were plush with greenery that was gathered to decorate their home. The celebration of Christmas was much simpler then.
The Christmas tours are important for the non-profit foundation that operates a heritage education center as part of Henderson County Schools. It provides a significant portion of the farm’s operating expenses and educational experiences.
The farm was a gift to the schoolchildren and the community by the late Vernon and Leander Johnson. It is owned by Henderson County Public Schools, and is managed by an Executive Director and the Historic Johnson Farm Foundation, Inc. It was designated a NC Cultural Treasure. The farm is located at 3346 Haywood Road in Hendersonville, NC. 28739
For more information, call the farm foundation office at 891-6585. Or visit www.historicjohnsonfarm.org or www.facebook.com/HistoricJohnsonFarm or email jfarm@hcpsnc.org
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.