Mrs. Betsy Johnson
Wife, Community Builder, and Friend
Sherborn Town Historian and Educator
Her Childhood and 4-H
Mrs. Johnson grew up in Sherborn, on the same relative property that she lives on today. Throughout her youth, she took piano and violin lessons, though she claims that her skills never progressed. She attended school in town and was a part of various groups in her youth, including 4-H:
4-H is a U.S.-based network of youth organizations whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.”
Mrs. Johnson fondly remembers her time involved with the 4-H organization. During her years associated with 4-H, she raised sheep, participated in various competitions, gardened, cooked, and participated in a youth service club that put on a Christmas party for younger children. During her senior year, she attended the National 4-H Club Youth Congress Meeting in Chicago, alongside many other members, both from the US and from other nations. At this meeting, she met with other students to recognize work and accomplishments in the organization. There, she enjoyed touring Chicago, visiting various museums, viewing a three dimensional film, and dining with the other members.
Higher Education
After high school, Mrs. Johnson moved out west and attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Although she did not have an official minor at Oberlin, she notes that she studied geology very heavily and had the modern-day equivalent of a minor in geology. She enjoyed college very much.
During her Junior year, she studied abroad in London, England, at the London School of Economics and Political Science and the King’s College. In London, she remembers hiking, collecting fossils and other artifacts, and traveling with a friend across Europe during her summer. After undergraduate school, she attended graduate school at the University of Wyoming with a full scholarship. There, she was involved with the outing club. However, because she was so heavily involved with her thesis, she did not explore Wyoming as much as she had hoped to.
Her Teaching Career
Although she was, and still is, a large supporter of public education, Mrs. Johnson went on to work at a Private Girl’s School in New York and taught history there for one year. Afterward, she taught Ancient History at Lexington High School, primarily focusing on European Civilizations from the Paleolithic Era to the development of nations in Europe. During both of these jobs, she recalls the thrill of learning new concepts everyday in order to keep up with her own students.
Life in Sherborn
After her teaching career, Mrs. Johnson moved back to Sherborn with her husband Robert into her original family home, which she later updated. She and her husband applied all of the wall paper and paint. Besides the Historical Society, Mrs. Johnson notably served as the Chair of the Historical Commission for over a decade, and was associated with the Commission for 15 years. She also served on the Building Zoning Committee in the 1980s.
Wife, Community Builder, and Friend
Sherborn Town Historian and Educator
Her Childhood and 4-H
Mrs. Johnson grew up in Sherborn, on the same relative property that she lives on today. Throughout her youth, she took piano and violin lessons, though she claims that her skills never progressed. She attended school in town and was a part of various groups in her youth, including 4-H:
4-H is a U.S.-based network of youth organizations whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.”
Mrs. Johnson fondly remembers her time involved with the 4-H organization. During her years associated with 4-H, she raised sheep, participated in various competitions, gardened, cooked, and participated in a youth service club that put on a Christmas party for younger children. During her senior year, she attended the National 4-H Club Youth Congress Meeting in Chicago, alongside many other members, both from the US and from other nations. At this meeting, she met with other students to recognize work and accomplishments in the organization. There, she enjoyed touring Chicago, visiting various museums, viewing a three dimensional film, and dining with the other members.
Higher Education
After high school, Mrs. Johnson moved out west and attended Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Although she did not have an official minor at Oberlin, she notes that she studied geology very heavily and had the modern-day equivalent of a minor in geology. She enjoyed college very much.
During her Junior year, she studied abroad in London, England, at the London School of Economics and Political Science and the King’s College. In London, she remembers hiking, collecting fossils and other artifacts, and traveling with a friend across Europe during her summer. After undergraduate school, she attended graduate school at the University of Wyoming with a full scholarship. There, she was involved with the outing club. However, because she was so heavily involved with her thesis, she did not explore Wyoming as much as she had hoped to.
Her Teaching Career
Although she was, and still is, a large supporter of public education, Mrs. Johnson went on to work at a Private Girl’s School in New York and taught history there for one year. Afterward, she taught Ancient History at Lexington High School, primarily focusing on European Civilizations from the Paleolithic Era to the development of nations in Europe. During both of these jobs, she recalls the thrill of learning new concepts everyday in order to keep up with her own students.
Life in Sherborn
After her teaching career, Mrs. Johnson moved back to Sherborn with her husband Robert into her original family home, which she later updated. She and her husband applied all of the wall paper and paint. Besides the Historical Society, Mrs. Johnson notably served as the Chair of the Historical Commission for over a decade, and was associated with the Commission for 15 years. She also served on the Building Zoning Committee in the 1980s.
