Descendant of Johnny Appleseed tree planted in McLean County

Posted on October 16, 2017
Johnny Appleseed
The Illinois State Historical Society is offering all 102 counties a tree that descends from an original “Johnny Appleseed” tree. (Photo courtesy McLean County Museum of History)

By Eric Stock

NORMAL – A new historic bicentennial tree is taking root in McLean County.

To mark the bicentennial of Illinois’ statehood, the Illinois State Historical Society is offering all 102 counties a tree that descends from an original “Johnny Appleseed” tree.

The McLean County Museum of History bought one of these commemorative trees. University of Illinois Extension staff has planted the tree in the Refuge Food Forrest at One Normal Plaza in Normal.

“The historic ‘heirloom’ apple tree is one small way the Museum, in conjunction with the Illinois State Historical Society, is commemorating the state’s upcoming bicentennial,” said museum librarian Bill Kemp. “Most state residents do not know Illinois will be marking 200 years of statehood in 2018. Given the budgetary woes in Springfield, celebration of this yearlong, once-in-a-lifetime event will devolve, at least to a considerable extent, to local heritage groups and historical societies. The Museum is planning plenty of Illinois Bicentennial activities next year, but the Johnny Appleseed tree is a good way for us to kick off the state’s 200th birthday a little early.”

The state historical society said the last-known surviving tree planted by John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, was at a farm in Ohio.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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