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A panoramic view of Washington, D.C., in 1912
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Cherry Trees Planted in Washington, D.C.
March 27, 1912
Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, a travel writer and photographer, had the idea of planting cherry trees in Washington after she returned from a trip to Japan in 1885. She recommended that the city purchase the trees, but the government ignored her request. Finally, in 1909, she decided to raise money and purchase them herself. She wrote to First Lady Helen Herron Taft and told her of her plans. The first lady was enthusiastic about the idea and decided to take up the matter. Once the Japanese consul in New York heard of the first lady's plans, he suggested that his government make a gift of the trees to the U.S. government.
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