Shawn Johnson still remembers the Catskill Game Farm as his childhood “Disney World,” the animals, the rides, the scale of it all, and the sense that nothing else in the world was quite like it. 

Now, Johnson, the general manager of the Old Catskills Game Farm, is helping carry the former zoo through a more complicated moment. 

“American Zoo,” a new documentary by British filmmaker Tim Travers Hawkins, premiered June 4 at the Tribeca Festival and examines the Catskill Game Farm’s darker history, including its connection to Nazi-era animal-breeding experiments and the mistreatment of animals during its years as a zoo.

For Johnson, who has devoted much of his life to preserving the place, the film did not erase the memories that generations of visitors made there. It made the work of reckoning with them more urgent.

“It’s a writing you need finished in a chapter of the history of the farm,” said Johnson. “I’m just here trying to help the farm heal and be a positive place again, any way I can.”

The Catskill Game Farm opened in 1933 and became one of the region’s best-known tourist attractions before closing in 2006. The property now operates as the Old Game Farm, with lodging, campsites, private events, and remnants of the former zoo still scattered across the grounds.

Johnson was born in Rockford, Illinois, and moved to the Catskill and Windham area around age 9. He said he often felt out of place growing up, a feeling that deepened his connection to animals and, eventually, to the former zoo.

He was hired as general manager in 2019 by Sidney Blauner, the farm’s owner, who later became a close friend. Current owner, Gale Blauner, has taken over after the passing of Sidney.

Johnson spoke with The Overlook about his connection to the Game Farm, the documentary, and what he hopes the property can become.

Why here? Why has this place meant so much to you?

Shawn Johnson: It’s one of the biggest influences of my life. They let me deal with my love of animals. I love animals, seeing animals. Learning about animals, everything. And big into animal rescues too. The animals, the sights, the rides, all of it was magical. 

Everyone’s got a connection to this place, one way or another, to the animals–to the love of animals. I think it inspired them in their lives. You see something exotic that you’ve never seen before or come across. Everyone caught a little bit of that magic and felt their connection tied in. There’s nothing like it in the world. Not like this place.

How do you describe your connection to the Catskill Game Farm now? 

Shawn: I feel like I’m the guardian of everybody’s memories and I’m just trying to keep them alive and the thoughts, dreams are still there. The dreams that inspired people over the years. I feel very privileged to be in that position. 

I can relate to being a stranger in a strange land. Since you’re a strange animal in a world it doesn’t belong in, you never asked for. Trying to figure it out as they go, being trapped in that kind of cage. Up here, it’s like being in a cage with all of the other animals that want to be here, because they’re natives, but you’re not.

This is my passion, here. This is my love. It’s a blessing. A once in a lifetime opportunity.

How is the game farm different today?

Shawn: All of that energy is still here, it just needs to be tapped into again, be experienced by people. Even though it’s in ruins, most of it, but it’s still there. That magic is still there to be shared with the next generation–supposed to be a local landmark.

We’re two different things now. Operating as a zoo is a whole other animal from what we’re running now. I think it’s a beautiful Airbnb, I think it’s doing great. People are refining old memories. 

I’ll do anything I can to keep those memories alive, and see new memories for people that have never been here before and feel the magic that’s left of it. I love to hear people’s memories when they come. What they did, what they saw, what they remembered, their happiest moments, all that.

What was your reaction to “American Zoo?”

Shawn Johnson: It needs to be told, it needs to be known. I’m glad that it’s out, that it’s finally brought to light. Skeletons in the closet that need to be brought out and it was done in the right way, a good way. I think a lot of people, this is going to shatter the visions that they had of the farm and the memories of it. Even though that generation is all getting older now they still remember the farm really well. I think it’s going to be big. Skeletons in the closet are finally coming to light. In a way, I think it’s overdue anyway.

They had me for days, recording the farm. I gave him my best work, I gave my heart and soul into that. One of the camera men told me I was an actor and I said, I’m not an actor. This is from the heart. What you see is what you get. The only time I’ve ever acted is in a fourth grade play. I’ve never stood on a red carpet before, in front of it. But, there I was. 

What was your favorite part of the film?

I think my favorite part of the film was when, at the end, they were talking about the poor animals, there was one of my goats at the end eating a piece of paper. It’s a positive message in the end, for the animals. 

What would you say to the people who may not see the value in visiting the farm without  exotic animals?

Shawn Johnson: You’re missing out on more than you could ever imagine. Just the beauty of the Catskills alone is more than overwhelming. Having animals, that was just an extra dimension that you can experience. There’s still animals up here, they’re just the native ones.

Where else have you lived? 

Shawn: I spent a lot of time on ships in the military. I’ve lived all over the U.S., California twice, Florida, Maryland, Illinois. Everywhere I went I wanted to see zoos or something to do with animals. I make a mission of it. San Diego Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, Bronx Zoo–one of my favorites. 

What would you like to see for the future of the farm?

Shawn Johnson: I’d like to see more people come to share more memories and experiences that have never been here before. See what was, what remains of it to experience what we did–just a little bit of it. The animals aren’t here anymore. 

To feel a little bit of that magic that we all did and walk away with that. To me, that’s everything. That means everything to me. People to enjoy themselves, enjoy nature, the beauty of the farm and feel that magic resonated throughout the place.

I’d like to see music festivals, weddings, concerts, art shows, car shows in our giant parking lot, animal rescue in parts of the buildings that can be used for it, farms.

Mia Quick is an editorial assistant at The Overlook. Send correspondence to mia@theoverlooknews.com.