Bibb Country: Unearthing My Family Secrets of Land, Legacy and Lettuce
By Lonnae O’Neal
Andscape Books, 2025

Lonnae O’Neal’s ancestor, Keziah, was enslaved by the Kentucky Bibb family, including John Bigger Bibb who developed the famed lettuce strain. Like many families in the era of slavery in America, the genealogies of Keziah and her enslavers were blended. A mix of memoir, food history, and cultural critique, Bibb Country brings the family stories to life (both Black and White), exploring what it means to be descended from a wealthy and powerful family through enslavement and confronting a history that echoes across generations in America.

About the Author
Lonnae O’Neal was a reporter and columnist at The Washington Post for 20+ years before becoming a Senior Writer for Andscape, exploring the intersection of race, sports, and culture. She is the author of I’m Every Woman: Remixed Stories of Marriage, Motherhood, and Work. She and her family live in DC.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.