Johnson Hall Museum

I am sorry to report that Mr Johnson recently passed away after suffering a heart attack while attending an auction. Our thoughts go out to his family.

Many reviews and discussions about the Johnson Hall Museum focus as much on Bill Johnson, himself, as the museum. He was the driving force behind the museum. He was the tour guide. He greeted people as they came in. He loved to talk to «new» visitors. He gave life to the hundreds (thousands??) of inanimate objects that graced the museum. Sadly, at an auction on the evening of February 1^st, suddenly, quietly, and peacefully, Bill Johnson passed away.
On Thursday, February 6^th, his funeral took place at the museum. My girlfriend and I were very honored to be present. This was not a somber event but a celebration of this beloved man, his life, and how deeply he had touched so many lives. He was buried at the family cemetery on the hillside behind the museum.
There are no plans to permanently close the museum, but there is no clear vision of what the museum will be like in the future. I sensed there was a desire to continue Bill’s vision for the museum. But, no matter what happens, the museum will never be quite the same without Bill.
This July there are plans for a real celebration of Bill’s life. No details are available, yet.

wow, this was an experience out of this world. Bill, you are sooo fantastic. i want to come back and i can see my own wedding there. a wonderful place, full of stories and dreams. my kids looooooved you too, the grand piano and the music… the time you took to tell us stories… i felt like back in the years. the kitchen is fantastic, …everything. We will be back again, because i will need years and years to hear all your stories.

How great is this place — Saw a poster at the Maine Diner that the American Pickers were here. We made a quick U-​Turn to get a fun tour of this place — We found Bill out in the back who gladly spent a couple of hours with us — He has some remarkable stories to go along with his place. He jumps at the opportunity to have us sing a long with him and the piano. The gramophone still sounds amazing as the music blares through it. So many laughs and how excited was I when we got to talking about how I probably served him at Durgin Park when I worked there — he has a memory like it was yesterday. Definitely worth the $ 5 and for sure will go back again if in the area. Thanks Bill —

Dude who runs it is hilarous and likely insane. Only 5 bucks, I’ve been there twice.

This is a great place to browse around or to take photos. There is so much to see. I highly recommend a stop here. We just happened by it on a sightseeing trip and turned around to see what it was all about. The owner is eccentric, to say the least, but not in a bad way.
There is a player piano that I would loooove to own. A great place all-​around.

What a find! This place is one of a kind, and thankfully so. On a short road trip last week up the coast of Maine with 2 of my daughters, we drove by this place and noticed the large property and lots of stuff (nice stuff) around the main house and other buildings. Out by the street was a simple sign requesting a $ 5 donation to park and walk around.
Not knowing what it was (but real intrigued by it strangeness) I hung a quick U and went back into the driveway and parked. My kids are not too happy! As we approached the front door they are begging to leave as the place gives them the willies. To make matters worse a big wad of keys are still hanging from the front door. Now I have the willies!
Being me, I open the door and peer in and to my amazement I see a massive room full of the most traditional cool art and collectibles I’ve ever seen! High class Americana. We skulk through the first big room because I hear voices coming from an even larger room I can see deeper in this massive old house.
As we enter the back room, we find two older men sitting at one of 20+ beautiful early American tables (all surrounded by beautiful chairs). They are holding a small wooden sled and discussing how to repair it. They quickly finish and one leaves and the other introduces himself as Bill Johnson and asks if we’d like a tour of the place. I quickly say yes and that starts the next faze.
Bill quickly begins to regale us with story after story about each piece we point out or strikes his fancy:
–Nice story about Hermann Goering’s cuckoo clock on the wall.
–He turns on his player piano, sits down and grabs a very large megaphone, and begins serenading my daughters with a beautiful old tune.
–He quizzes us about American historical facts, tells stories, sings, etc. and would have spent the whole day with us had we had the time.
Well, I could go on and on about this place… but you gotta see it to believe it. Best $ 5 tour ever!