Hayden Johnson, a senior at Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School, loves history.
“When I was younger, I would go over to my grandparents a lot, and my grandfather had a lot of his dad’s military stuff from when he was in World War II – so that got me really interested in history and the military,” Hayden said.
Hayden, eager to teach others about our area’s rich history, started a group through the National Park Service who re-enact historical events. This summer, the group of 13 portrayed mercenaries and British Affairs members at Fort Stanwix in Rome, all while dressed in attire reflective of the late 1700s.
“I originally went there (Fort Stanwix) a lot when I was a kid, and I actually got involved three years ago,” Hayden said. “Eventually, a volunteer asked me if I would like to volunteer. So, I filled out an application, and the first two weeks of volunteering I was there every single day from 9 to 5. Every day, I would learn something new, and it was always interesting.” 
For Hayden, the opportunity to volunteer at Fort Stanwix and with the National Park Service is very fulfilling. Unable to enter the military like he originally planned to, Hayden says he aspires to work for the National Park Service full-time someday - - the “next best thing.”
“I always wanted to go into the military, but I can’t anymore,” Hayden said, who plans to major in American history at Utica College next year. “But, I do want to go into the National Park Service now and work with the public.”
Hayden says his volunteer work should help him achieve his goal. He points to the important connections he has been able to make so far.
“I have gotten to know the (Fort Stanwix) superintendent, who just got promoted to the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.,” Hayden said.
But, what may stand out the most about Hayden and his group of friends who volunteer is their age.
A park ranger and senior re-enactor at Fort Stanwix both say it has been a long time since they have seen younger people take the kind of interest in history that Hayden and his friends have - - and that their contributions to storytelling and keeping history alive is a good thing.
The chance to work with more experienced staff members and volunteers at Fort Stanwix is one that Hayden treasurers.
“The people that have been there forever really have a good grasp on the community,” Hayden said. “A lot of people know them because they interact with the public so much… so everyone kind of really knows them by name.”
One particular veteran volunteer stands out.
“There is one volunteer left that was there when the fort opened,” Hayden noted. “He has been there since 1974; the park actually opened in 1976. So, he had two years of training before the park even opened and knows everything.”
Yet, don’t let Hayden’s youthfulness fool you. What he lacks in experience, he more than makes up for through hard work and passion.
According to Hayden, people from all over the world, including Europe, Asia and Africa, visit Fort Stanwix. And, he already has enough knowledge to tailor each and every tour he gives to the specific group he is entertaining.
“We always relate the stories of the fort to the individual,” Hayden explained. “So, if we have a German visitor coming in, we talk about the Hessians that were there on the British side. If we have people from a Native American background, we talk about the Native Americans at the fort. I can draw it into anyone’s perspective to where they can understand it and enjoy it.”
Considering his desire to work for the National Park Service full-time someday, Hayden doesn’t have any plans to slow down anytime soon. In fact, he’s still actively recruiting kids his age to get involved with preserving history because there aren’t as many people in the hobby as there once was.
Right now, Hayden and three other Westmoreland students, Karsten Bratge, Johann Bratge and John Grabski, volunteer.
“I think it is something that anyone can try out, and if they enjoy it, they enjoy it,” Hayden said. “It is so interesting to get into a uniform and carry and fire a musket. Even if you look like a nerd, it’s fun to do.”
And our nation’s treasures and important lessons aren’t becoming forgotten.
A story on Hayden and his group of friends was featured in the Utica OD. To read the story, click here.