From Seeds to Stories: A Conversation with Christopher DeMairo

From horticultural innovations in flower hybrids to inspiring the war and victory gardens of the 20th century, the Burpee company is a staple of American agriculture, and, even 150 years after its founding, Burpee continues to be the world’s largest home garden and seed company. Christopher DeMairo, author of The Burpee Seed Company: Planting U.S. History since the Nineteenth Century published by Smithsonian Scholarly Press, will discuss the history of the Burpee family enterprise and the 200 boxes of archival business records donated to the Smithsonian that detail this family legacy. After the conversation in Stage 4, attendees can join a garden party-style reception in the Atrium.