Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center Undergoes Renovations
- Visit North Central
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center recently underwent renovations to the property. The renovations included new signage inside the center, updated signage on Route 2, new doors, paint, an upgraded sprinkler system, and renovations to the bathrooms that included flooring and new hand dryers. The primary goal of the renovations was to better showcase North Central Massachusetts as well as to improve the visitor experience for the 165,000 plus people who come through the door every day.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center, considered by many the gateway to North Central Massachusetts, opened in 1996 as a way to welcome people traveling through the region and give them a place to stop, stretch their legs, and learn more about the twenty-six communities in North Central Massachusetts and what they have to offer for visitors and families. Open 360 days a year from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., the visitors’ center greets people from the local community as well as those traveling down Route 2 West to their destination and those who are vacationing locally with us.
“It’s important to us that everyone who walks through the visitors’ center doors feels welcomed” said Diane Burnette, Visitor Center Manager for Visit North Central Massachusetts. “Whether we are a daily stop for you, or you are coming into the area for the first time, you should have a positive experience here at the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center.”
The visitor center is named after American pioneer and folk hero John Chapman (AKA Johnny Appleseed) who was born locally in Leominster. Visitors to the center can find hand-painted murals of the four seasons, historical items that showcase the region’s heritage and a gift shop that carries many local products including jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, fudge, chocolates, sparkling cider and that local icon of American kitsch – the plastic flamingo! Visitors to the center can also find a wide selection of books highlighting the history of the region, plus good-quality logo merchandise and souvenir items.
Over 165,000 people walk through the visitor center doors every year. Some come in for a pit stop on their route, some for directions to a local destination or information on local attractions, and some for the local products from across the region that are sold in the gift shop. One thing that every single visitor receives is a welcoming feeling and a nice “hello” and “have a great day’ as they enter and leave again.
The Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center is open daily. Normal business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center is located at 1000 Rte. 2 Westbound, between exit 34 & 35, in Lancaster, MA. For more information, please call 978.534.2829 or visit www.visitnorthcentral.com.
