We welcome Dr. William Woys Weaver, an internationally known food historian and author of “Heirloom Vegetable Gardening” and numerous other titles. His lecture will survey what we know about kitchen gardens based on surviving documentation as well as horticultural genealogies that trace back into Mennonite seed exchanges with Holland. Dr. Weaver will discuss the 18th century varieties that form the basis for Pennsylvania Dutch foodways and the connections with Europe, like the Dutch Mennonite subventions paid for by Mennonite Agnes Block (1629-1704).

Dr. Weaver’s grandfather established the seed collection in 1932, now the oldest private seed collection in Pennsylvania and a 501c3 non-profit now called the Roughwood Center for Heritage Seedways. Dr. Weaver will have his books and a selection of his heirloom vegetable seeds available for purchase at the program. 

Registration after 5pm Friday, March 15:

Anyone wishing to register for the Zoom option after 5pm Friday will receive a recording of the program. If you are planning to attend in person, please pay at the door.