The Curious Case Of John Chapman

This orchard is located only a half an hour away.

John Chapman (September 26, 1774 – March 18, 1845), more popularly known as  Johnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer nurseryman who lived a nomadic lifestyle; traveling the U.S. barefoot and introducing apple trees to large areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, as well as the northern counties of present-day West Virginia. His activities touched the lives of many people and he became a legend for doing so. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana where a festival is held in his honor every year.

A Seedy Character

Today marks the 239th anniversary of the birth of a true original. The one and only nomadic, pioneering environmentalist and nurseryman John Chapman, better known as the legendary Johnny Appleseed. Although he lived what some would consider a rather bohemian lifestyle, you don't have to abandon the creature comforts of the 21st century to enjoy planting and trading seeds. Check out wintersown.org for help in getting started. I've used this organization on several occasions when trying to obtain heirloom tomato seeds and I've always had good results.