Cherry Blossom History and Antique Cherry Button Necklace

The cherry blossoms around the tidal basin in Washington, D. C. Are breathtaking and legendary - there is even a Cherry Blossom Festival each year when thousands flock to see this historic marvel - a symbol and agent of friendship between the U. S. And Japan.

Whose idea was it to plant thousands of cherry trees there?

We have Mrs. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore to thank for the idea. After returning from her first trip to Japan in 1885 she proposed the idea to the U. S. Army Superintendent of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds. Her proposal wasn’t accepted then, but she continued asking for 24 years and her vision was finally realized in 1927.

The antique button in my Cherries necklace was likely manufactured around the same time Mrs. Scidmore was championing her idea. Find out more about this one of a kind necklace here.

Read more about the challenges that were overcome to create the Cherry Blossom marvel (including why the first donation of 2,000 trees was burned!)