Cherry Blossoms in D.C.

This information comes from one of my favorite books, “The First Ladies Fact Book by Bill Harris”.

When Helen Herron Taft, wife of President William Howard Taft, arrived in Washington, Potomac Park was “was mostly a mosquito filled swamp”.  She initiated a “beautify the capitol city” program which included Potomac Park.  When she had visited Japan she fell in love with cherry blossoms and decided they would be beautiful in Washington.  Upon hearing of this desire, the mayor of Tokyo, sent more than 3,000 trees as a gift to the American People.

First Lady Helen Taft planted the first 2 trees herself in March of 1912.