Every year on September 26, people across the country celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day, honoring the life and legacy of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Born on this day in 1774, Chapman became a folk hero for his role in spreading apple trees and apple culture across the American frontier.
Johnny Appleseed was more than a wandering planter scattering seeds. He established nurseries, placed them under the care of neighbors, and returned every few years to tend them. His work helped introduce apple trees to wide stretches of the early United States, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and West Virginia, as well as parts of Ontario, Canada. Unlike many orchard growers of his time, he opposed grafting, which meant most of his apples weren’t sweet for eating but were instead turned into hard cider—a staple drink and safe alternative to water in frontier communities.
The man quickly became a legend in his own lifetime. Known for his simple, rugged clothing, his barefoot travels, and his tin hat (used for both cooking and eating), Johnny Appleseed also spread spiritual teachings as a missionary of the New Church. He shared Bible lessons with adults and told stories to children, often receiving food and shelter in return for his kindness and wisdom. His blend of practicality, generosity, and eccentricity made him a beloved figure wherever he traveled.
Today, Johnny Appleseed’s memory lives on not only through apple orchards but also in popular culture. Fort Wayne, Indiana—where he is buried—hosts the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival, and its minor league baseball team is named the TinCaps in his honor. Other towns, including those in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, hold their own festivals celebrating his contributions.
Ways to Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day:
- Enjoy apples in any form: fresh, baked, or pressed into cider.
- Visit an orchard or cider mill to see the legacy of apple growing firsthand.
- Take a trip to his birthplace in Leominster, Massachusetts, or to his gravesite in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Share stories about Johnny Appleseed with children, or watch the classic Disney film Melody Time, which includes a segment about his life.
