Historic Johnson Farm is pleased to announce that it was awarded a grant of $20,000 by the Community Foundation of Henderson County.
This grant, titled “Preserving the Past, Painting the Future,” will cover the preparation and painting of five of the historic buildings on the farm: the barn, boarding house, Vernon’s cottage, Etta’s quarters, and the school house/granary. The buildings have not been painted in decades and need to be pressure washed and painted in order to protect the structures while also preserving them for the thousands of school children and adults that visit the farm each year. The project will greatly help maintain the integrity of the buildings, many of which are more than a century old, ensuring they remain a valuable education and community resource for years to come.
“People may not think of paint necessarily as a preservation technique, but paint serves as a barrier against the elements and can help prevent structural damage and other forms of deterioration,” said executive director Mandy Gibson. “We are deeply grateful for the support from the Community Foundation of Henderson County that makes this restoration possible.”
While the grant will cover a significant portion of the restoration costs, Henderson County Public Schools is contributing all of the paint and primer for the project. The farm foundation is covering the cost of necessary repair work on wood on the barn and school house/granary that must be done before painting can take place.
Historic Johnson Farm, gifted to Henderson County Public Schools and the community by Leander and Vernon Johnson, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features 10 historic buildings and farm animals on 15 acres. The site serves as an educational center, field trip destination, and cultural landmark in Hendersonville, NC. It is located at 3346 Haywood Road.
The farm depends on community volunteers to assist with school field trips, tours of the buildings and grounds, gardening and maintenance. If interested, please contact director Mandy Gibson for more details on volunteer opportunities at 891-6585.
