Johnstown School Museum

The dream of creating a museum to house Johnstown school memorabilia existed for years and became a reality with the official opening of the Johnstown School Museum on Saturday, May 3, 2003, following the Johnstown Board of Education’s adoption of a resolution on January 22, 2003. The resolution appointed Mr. William Pollak as curator. Established as an effort to preserve the history and rich tradition of education in Johnstown, the school museum is intended to benefit everyone in the community.

Where is the Museum Located?

The museum is located in the Greater Johnstown School District’s “White House” on Knox Field, behind Knox Middle School, facing Glebe Street. The building was constructed in 1930 and donated to the District as part of the Knox complex. It is the oldest building used and maintained by the District. Throughout the years, this former field house has had many uses, including:

• A classroom building
• Arts/Crafts and Recreation Center
• Warming station for ice skating
• Storage facility for track and field equipment
• Administrative office area

About the Collection

The collection of school memorabilia dates from the 1700s to the present. Items have come through personal donations and District archives.

Rooms dedicated to the following eras make chronological browsing easier:

• pre-1930
• 1930 – 1949
• 1950 – 1969
• 1970 – 1989
• 1990 – 2004
• 2005 – present (lower level)

Visitors will find photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper articles, uniforms, jackets, shirts, jewelry, equipment, trophies, plaques, awards, books, journals, historical documents, ledgers, school furnishings, textbooks, supplies, artwork, posters, programs, maps, school newspapers, score books, tests, report cards, general nostalgia and much more.

Alumni Information

• Complete list of all graduates 1881-present
• Yearbooks (Baronet 1925-present; Knox & elementary yearbooks)

Featured Displays

The museum’s organizers have taken great care to balance an abundance of academic, administrative, extra-curricular and nostalgic items.

• Charles B. and Rose Knox honoring Mrs. Knox, an influential business leader and philanthropist fondly known as the “First Lady of Johnstown.” Mrs. Knox donated the property known as Knox Field (stadium, tennis courts, baseball diamond, wading pool, skating area and field house), as well as $200,000 for its development.
• Another area is reserved for the memorabilia of William A. Wright, a district teacher and administrator for 42 years.
• Musical instruments through the decades
• Johnstown students who lost their lives in war
• Athletics, including Glove Cities and Colonial Football
• Local History Wall featuring key events/places since Sir William Johnson
• Albums with class photos
• Typewriters and hands-on treasures
• Women of Distinction – Molly Brant (Mohawk wife of Sir William Johnson) and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (helped women obtain the right to vote)

Those planning a class reunion are encouraged to include a museum tour as part of their activities. Hundreds of Johnstown alumni have toured the museum both on their own and as part of their reunion weekend.

Scheduling tours by appointment will help ensure the experience works best for individual and group needs.

Remembering Johnstown Students Who Lost Their Lives in War

The Johnstown School Museum honors and remembers the Johnstown students who made the supreme sacrifice in service to their country. Below is a list of these students, organized by the war they served in. Thank you.

World War I

World War II

Korean War

Vietnam War

Gulf War

Friends of the Museum

Carm D’Amore
Doug Davidson
Katy Dunlap
Beth Haggerty
Sue Kowalski
Mimi Malatino
Rebecca Preston
Jane Sitterly
Camille Smullen
Dave Zemanek

Honorary Members

Richard McGuire
Rebecca Preston
Camille Smullen