HOWELL – The MacKenzie Museum and Library was beautifully decorated with cherry blossoms to honor the history of the flowering trees in America.
The Howell Heritage and Historical Society (HHHS) welcomed visitors to its first event of the season just in time for spring.
“We are always happy to have visitors to our 1854 miller’s home where we highlight the Nesbits and Capt. William A. Prickitt, the most notable owners, who were also involved in the Civil War,” said Leigh Shaffer, HHHS Board Vice-President and MacKenzie Committee Member.
Recently, the Society hosted an exhibit showcasing the history of cherry blossoms in America. On display were original postcards of cherry blossoms in Japan and Washington, D.C., along with pink and green cherry blossom Depression glass. Photos informed visitors of the different stages of growth before cherry blossoms are completely bloomed.
The MacKenzie Museum and Library was decorated to honor the history of cherry blossoms in America. (Photo courtesy Leigh Shaffer)
There were also pictures and information about the Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park in Essex, NJ, which was the first county park in America to be opened to the public, Shaffer said.
The historical significance of cherry blossoms dates all the way back to 1885, with traveler, writer and diplomat Eliza Scidmore. When she returned to Washington after visiting Japan, she spoke with the United States Army Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds and proposed that maybe they could get Japanese cherry trees to be planted along the Potomac River.
In 1906, Dr. David Fairchild, who was a plant explorer and the Superintendent of Agriculture in Washington, decided to import 75 flowering cherry trees from Yokohama Nursery in Japan to see if they could thrive in Washington, D.C.
Three years later, Skidmore decided to raise money for cherry trees and shared her plan with First Lady Helen Taft. At one point, Taft lived in Japan and told Skidmore she’d like to make an avenue of cherry trees. Afterwards, Japanese chemist Dr. Jokichi Takamine came to Washington and heard about the trees. He then asked Taft if she would accept a donation of 2,000 trees. Takamine also asked Tokyo Mayor Yukia Ozaki to support the gift; he agreed and First Lady Taft accepted the donation.
Original postcards of cherry blossoms in Japan and Washington, D.C. on display. (Photo courtesy Leigh Shaffer)
“All of it went into place and they sent the cherry trees to America. But there were ups and downs after that, and that’s where the story continues,” Shaffer said.
Visitors learned about the continuing story in the displays and brochures provided by the HHHS.
The MacKenzie Museum and Library is open to guests on the third Saturday of the month, from now through December, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Shaffer also noted that the museums are always open for private tours.
HHHS welcomed guests to their first event of 2025. (Photo courtesy Leigh Shaffer)
“Any group, or people who can’t come on a Saturday, but want to make an appointment, we can accommodate them,” Shaffer said. “We also offer tours to schools who want to come and do a history program with their kids who are studying local history.”
In 2020, the newly founded Howell Heritage and Historical Society purchased the MacKenzie House from the township after learning it was in jeopardy of being torn down. Since then, the Society has worked hard to refurbish the home and has reopened it to the public.
To learn more about the organization, visit howellheritagehistoricalsociety.org.
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