Our Mission
The Johnsonburg Community Trust (JCT) is dedicated to revitalizing the downtown area by fostering a vibrant and interconnected community. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all residents through sustainable economic growth, meaningful connections, and the celebration of our unique local heritage.
Our Strategies
Community Engagement: We actively bring people together through a diverse range of events, workshops, and partnerships, fostering a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Economic Empowerment: We open opportunities to build community wealth and resilience through support for local businesses, retail spaces, conservation efforts, public markets, and job creation initiatives.
Heritage Preservation: We honor and preserve our rich heritage and culture through the Heritage-Education & Welcome Center, ensuring that future generations remain connected to their roots while bringing about creative adaptive reuse of those historic structures.
Project Goals and Objectives
Adaptive Reuse & Preservation: Preserve the architectural integrity of the historic building while repurposing it for modern, functional use.
Sustainability & Energy Efficiency: Implement green building practices and renewable energy solutions to reduce the environmental impact.
Economic & Community Development: Provide affordable space and support services for local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community organizations.
Education & Engagement: Offer workshops, networking events, and training programs in sustainability and entrepreneurship.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Armstrong Brick Block (BB) which is the home of the HEWC, has been owned by the Johnsonburg Community Trust (JCT) since 2020.
Authentic places are more than just tourist destinations; they are living, breathing representations of a region's unique identity, character, and shared heritage. These places offer both residents and visitors an immersive experience, creating a sense of place that is not only unique and essential but also thriving and vibrant. Authenticity is key; it's about being genuine, real, and reflecting the true cultural characteristics of the area.
We are committed to building an authentic place within our community, a place where real people can connect, engage, and create lasting memories. Our focus is on fostering an environment that is welcoming, engaging, and truly reflective of the local culture. We believe that by creating authentic experiences, we can encourage visitors to return time and time again and perhaps even entice them to become a part of our community.
The JCT is excited about the potential of this project to transform the downtown area and create a lasting positive impact on the community. We believe that by working together, we can build a brighter future for Johnsonburg.
Volunteers and directors during the July 11th, 2024, grand opening/ribbon cutting of the Heritage-Education & Welcome Center, photo credit Kenny Shaffer.
2025 Officers
President: Aidan Bobik
Vice President: Stephanie Distler
Secretary: Lauren Pura
Treasurer: Kyle Paget
2025 Standing-Committee Chairs
Executive Committee
Stephanie Distler chair, Lauren Pura and Christina Tigani
Finance Committee
Christina Tigani, chair
Aidan Bobik, Kyle Paget and Sarah Schreiber
Nominating Committee
Stephanie Distler, chair
Aidan Bobik and Kyle Paget
2025 Special-Committees
Planning Procedures & Evaluation Committee
Aidan Bobik, chair
Stephanie Distler, Andrew Mohney, Sarah Schreiber and Christina Tigani
Events & Engagement Committee
Andrew Mohney & Lauren Pura, Co-chairs
Aidan Bobik and Stephanie Distler
Grants & Fundraising Committee
Sarah Schreiber & Christina Tigani, Co-chairs
Vern Delong and Stephanie Distler
Landscape & Placemaking Committee
Harv Davison, Chair
Kyle Paget and Lauren Pura
Rehabilitation Committee
Vern Delong, Chair
Harv Davison and Kyle Paget
Heritage-Education & Welcome Center & Brick Block Committee
Stephanie Distler Chair & Curator/HEWC Coordinator
Vern Delong and Lauren Pura
Public Relations & Marketing Committee
Andrew Mohney & Lauren Pura, Co-chair
Stephanie Distler