Hiding in Plain Sight: The Johnston Family

Dr. Albert Johnston passed as a Caucasian in order to practice medicine. After living as leading citizens in Keene, New Hampshire, the Johnstons revealed their true racial identity, and became national news.

Warmth radiated from the many fireplaces of the Johnston home, at 127 Washington Street in Keene. It was cozy inside the large, three story brick home, even though the weather outside was that of a brisk New England winter evening. The warmth inside was not only from the fireplaces, but from the loving Johnston family, who lived there during the mid-1900's.

Dr. Johnston, an X-ray specialist, was well respected and honored in the Keene community. The elegance and size of his home reflected his thriving medical practice. The house has a real sense of family, and a very welcoming and comfortable feel. It is easy to feel at home while inside. On this December night, one of Dr. Johnston's sons, Albert Jr., was home from boarding school. He was taking a nice warm bath before calling some girls and going out for the evening. As he was bathing, he was relating to his father in the other room about the past week's events. He was telling his father of an upcoming trip he was taking with the ski team. Albert Jr. described his surprise that another student on the team could be so popular even though he was black. This struck a chord with Dr. Johnston, and he then revealed to Albert Jr. the truth — that the entire Johnston family was African American. Dr. Johnston had been doing what is known as passing. He pretended that he was white so he would not have to face discrimination.

After the Johnstons had settled in Keene, more than 50 years ago, they became very active in their community. This would not have been the same if the Johnston family had revealed their race. The Johnston family would not have been able to have the same social life if they had not passed as white. [SentinelSource.com, by Zeke Katz, 3/2001]

The 1949 motion picture 'Lost Boundaries' directed by Alfred L. Werker was a film based on William Lindsay White's book of the same name, a non-fiction account of Dr. Albert C. Johnston and his family who passed for white while living in New England in the 1930s and 1940s. The film won the 1949 Cannes Film Festival award for Best Screenplay.

In 1989 on the 50th anniversary of the landmark film, family and members of the movie's cast and crew reunited in Keene to view a screening and attend a small reception to celebrate a revolutionary film and friendships that withstood a revelation that was, in its time, shocking.

Dr. Johnston passed away in 1988 at the age of 87. His wife, Thyra Johnston passed away in 1995 at the age of 91.

Source: Historical Society of Cheshire County