Submitted story

The Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum is about to open to the public again.

Located at 518 College Way in Urbana in the former Browne Hall, the Johnny Appleseed Museum and Educational Center plans a “soft opening” on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Museum hours will be Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A later grand opening is being planned for the spring of 2024, close to Earth and Arbor Days.

The 143-year-old building has come to house a first-rate museum which preserves the history of the pioneering orchardist John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. The museum and staff will strive to provide touring individuals and groups with an understanding of the cultural history of early 19th century America, Ohio’s pioneering history and the life and travels of John Chapman within that setting – a true “American Hero,” whose character and virtues demonstrate our country’s most cherished values.

The museum, which holds the largest collection of memorabilia and written information about the life of John “Appleseed” Chapman in the world, has always been and still is, free to the public. Operations are funded solely on individual donations and fundraising on a local, statewide and national level. This allows the museum and the important history it preserves to be as accessible as possible to its patrons.

The organization wishes to express its gratitude to the local community for the generous support it has received from individuals and groups, as it has navigated its way from a complete shutdown in March of 2020 due to the pandemic to the upcoming re-opening with a significant redesign and new displays that should provide a stimulating and educational experience for all visitors.

Individuals and families are always welcome. If you have an interest in bringing a group larger than six individuals, please contact the museum ahead of your visit to make arrangements with the museum director, Mikaela Prescott. Docents are mainly volunteers, so the museum wishes to ensure that it is able to plan to meet the needs of larger groups.

The museum can be contacted via phone (text or call) at 937-206-0915 or via email at [email protected]. Please include the number of adults and children you anticipate joining you for your tour, and the date you expect to visit.

Submitted by the Johnny Appleseed Foundation