HISTORICAL SOCIETY of HARFORD COUNTY, Inc.
Matthew Franklin Johnson

Provided by Tamara L. Stickler, Operations Manager, A-Tours

Monday, February 10, 2003, A-Tours' founder and President, Master Storyteller and Civil Rights Activist, Matthew Franklin Johnson passed from this world to meet personally those great heroic figures he had been enlightening his family, patrons and friends about for so many years.

A Civil Rights Activist in the 1960's, Matthew demonstrated in peaceful sit-ins to end racial segregation. After retiring from a thirty-one year career as a longshoreman, his love of family history and teaching led him to open A-Tours. A thirst for knowledge drove him to meticulously research obscure and often over looked people and their accomplishments. He combined these insights with a gift for relaying history in a way that immediately captivated any audience. Mr. Johnson was truly a great teacher and entertainer.

He was an active member of the Historical Society of Harford County, Smithsonian Society, Small Museums' Association, NAACP and Asbury Fords Lodge as well as serving as a Co-Project Director of The McComas Institute and Historian of the Brown-Winder Family Committee. Mr. Johnson was constantly immersed in his passion.

Matthew Johnson is survived by: his sister, Sedonia Johnson, daughters Inez Culver and Dorothy Tate, stepsons Paul Smith, Clayton Smith, and Marcus Johnson and 15 grandchildren as well as a host of other family members.

Family members will decide on the future of A-Tours within the coming weeks.