bringing back downtown Johnsonburg

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Armstrong Brick Block (BB), has been owned by the Johnsonburg Community Trust (JCT) since 2020. The preservation/restoration/renovation/rehabilitation of this magnificent structure is almost completed with a soft opening soon and a grand opening planned during the 20th Alumni & Friends Friday Event, July 12th.

The plan for the 12 units of the entire 45,000 sq. ft. historic BB includes renting the 1st floor retail spaces and then renovating the 2nd floor residential units into Airbnbs, offices, remote worker equipped spaces, studios, professional service provider locations, etc.

The Johnsonburg Community Trust’s (JCT) 1st retail space, what is identified as Retail Unit #1, is a 2,490 square foot space, corner of Bridge and Market Streets, is to become the Heritage Education & Welcome Center (HEC).

As part of the JCT’s revitalization efforts funds have been raised to fully complete the HEC.  This build out will allow for a gathering location of JCT activities/office space, incubator site for other non-profit organizations, welcome center, retail shop for regionally offered products, historical displays and education. Heritage influenced/themed markets, festivals, displays, Farmers’ Markets and pop-ups would present regional visual arts, traditional crafts/foods, educational activities, and live performing artists to enlighten, entertain and enrich the community while preserving and demonstrating Johnsonburg’s historical and living cultural heritage inside/outside of this essential space.

There is no such venue available, for the traveling public, in this part of the Region. This location would draw people into the “downtown” area of the community as well as promote the region’s rich landscape, small businesses and events. 

We have letters of support from the Johnsonburg Borough, Johnsonburg Chamber of Commerce, The PA Wilds Center, Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, Elk County Commissioners and other local governing officials. As part of this journey the JCT is proud and excited to tell you about grants received from the Johnsonburg Endowment Fund, Commissioners of Elk County Partnership Fund, Elk County Community Development Fund (all through the Elk County Community Foundation), The Stackpole-Hall Foundation and most recently, the Northwest Charitable Foundation, for this much needed regional resource. 

Authentic places are meant to accurately reflect the identity, character, and collective heritage of a region leaving its residents and visitors feeling as if they are in a completely unique, essential and thriving environment. An authentic place is genuine and has recognizable cultural characteristics. WE are an authentic place building up our community for real people to have pleasant, memorable and authentic experiences bringing them back and possibly keeping them here.

To help the JCT continue this project please send donations to:
Johnsonburg Community Trust
PO Box 43
Johnsonburg, PA 15845

*memo: HEC brick block project

Venmo: @johnsonburgcommunitytrust

or online: