Irwin Richman is Professor Emeritus at the Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg and currently the Director of Research and Development for the Heritage Seed Project at the Landis Valley Museum near Lancaster City. His special interest areas are Pennsylvania German culture, American art, and horticulture. He has lived in Lancaster County for over 35 years.

Michael B. Emery is the site administrator of Cornwall Iron Furnace. Irwin Richman works with the Landis Valley Associates, a private group dedicated to forwarding the aims of the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. They have each authored many books about art, culture, and tradition.

Revels and excels in doing the detective work and bringing history to life. -Amy Goldman, conservationist and author; vice chair, Board of Managers, The New York Botanical Garden; special advisor to the Board, Seed Savers Exchange

If you ever want to have an enticing peek at American cultural history, sit down and spend a few hours with Irwin Richman's and Mike Emery's original books. Seemingly unimportant artifacts such as postcards or seed packages illuminate the values and desires of an era. -Elizabeth Ely, Chair, Washington Square Park Conservancy, New York City

Another visually stunning work by my colleagues... rich in photographs, artwork, drawings, advertisement art, botanical information, history, and a touch of humor. -Joseph Schott, Farm & Garden Manager, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum

A clear window to material and social history...fascinating. We benefit from their rich knowledge and depth of detail to visualize how things worked long ago. Equally valued are the wealth of illustrations... a pleasure to read. -Pat Brodowski, Vegetable Gardener, Monticello, Thomas Jefferson Foundation