A man playing Johnny Appleseed wears a dark brown vest and hat in front of a stack of hay bales while speaking to a group outside.
Ken Hammontree portrays "Johnny Appleseed" at Mansfield's South Park on Sept. 21. The Richland Early American Center for History celebrated the historical figure's 250th birthday with reenactments, music and historical artifacts.

MANSFIELD —The Richland Early American Center for History (REACH) welcomed families to South Park on Saturday to celebrate John Chapman’s 250th birthday with a myriad of festivities and historical artifacts.

Commonly known as “Johnny Appleseed,” Chapman was born in Massachusetts in September 1774 and became famous for planting apple orchards throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.

Saturday’s celebration included reenactors, a water color painting class with Juli Parsons, free s’mores from the Boy Scout Troop 121, and a performance from Lincoln Highway Bluegrass Band.

Patricia Algeo Young also brought walking sticks and an apple from the last known living apple tree that Chapman planted, located in Savannah, Ohio.

Patricia Algeo Young at Mansfield’s South Park on Sept. 21 with an apple and walking stick from the last known living apple tree that John Chapman planted.

Below are photos from Saturday’s event.

Ball State journalism alumna. Passionate about sharing stories, making good coffee and finding new music. You can reach me at grace@richlandsource.com.