The Drumm House

This is the oldest dwelling in Johnstown. The only survivor of six similar structures built by Sir William for his staff. Here lived Edward Wall, schoolmaster of the first free school in the colony of New York.

Erected for Sir William Johnson in 1763 to start his village of Johnstown

The Drumm house is typical of the small one-an-one-half-story houses built by Sir William Johnson around 1763 for the artisans and professionals that he was recruiting as settlers. The house offers an intimate view of the daily lifestyle of the ordinary citizens of Johnstown. By 1769 Sir William established a school at Johnstown near the Tryon County Courthouse. St. John's Anglican Church and the village center. The first teacher was Edward Wall, who later married John Butler's niece Deborah. The school was free to all, but not compulsory. In the 1770s it had about 45 students from both Mohawk and European families in the area. Beginning in 1772, Johnson brought about 100 families of Scottish Highlanders to the Johnstown area. Many of these Scots remained loyal to the Johnson family and fought on behalf of the British Government during the American Revolution. They were not allowed to return to the area after the war, settling instead on British grants in Ontario. The Drumm House (right) is furnished and interpreted by the Johnstown Historical Society. Their collection includes 18th Century period artifacts, documents and genealogical materials.