Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival History
The project of planting cherry blossom trees in the city of Marshfield, Missouri started from a dream of local resident, Rev. Nicholas W. Inman. After spending a lengthy period in Washington, D.C. Inman returned home, because he had become homesick. However, due to his love of our nation's capital he decided that it would be nice to bring just a small touch of Washington D.C. to his hometown. Thus, allowing everyone a chance to enjoy both worlds.
Thus, the cherry blossom project started in 2003, although the first official planting did not occur until 2004. The first tree was planted at the Webster County Museum by Missouri First Lady Lori Hauser Holden. It was decided by the local Tree City USA advisory committee that each Missouri First Lady would be asked to plant a tree. This occurred due to the fact that the nation’s First Ladies had planted the trees in the nation's capital. In fact, First Lady Helen Taft planted the first tree in Washington, D.C. in 1912.
Soon the cherry blossom project spread throughout the city. Numerous dignitaries have visited to plant trees including; Teresa Parson (Missouri First Lady),Thom Daniel (Grandson of President Harry S Truman), Jerry Jones (Owner of the Dallas Cowboys), Jean Carnahan (Former Missouri First Lady and United States Senator), Pat Wilson (Former Missouri First Lady), Betty Hearnes (Former Missouri First Lady), Janet Ashcroft (Former Missouri First Lady), Georganne Wheeler Nixon (Former Missouri First Lady), John Lane (nephew of Dr. Edwin P. Hubble), Lesley Kays (Webster County Sesquicentennial Queen), Maggie Peterson Mancuso (Charlene Darling, Andy Griffith Show), Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush (Daughters of President George W. Bush), Michael Learned (The Waltons), Lynda Johnson Robb (Daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson) and Jonathan Sandys (Great Grandson of Sir Winston Churchill) along with several group plantings.
Not long after the tree was adopted amongst residents, the local school board named a street on their local campus "Cherry Blossom Way." This came at the urging of Inman, Neva Schroder and the tree committee, who fostered the idea of lining the way with cherry blossom trees. Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson assisted with advice throughout the planting and selection process of the tree. Three varieties of trees have been planted throughout the city. They include Okame, Yoshino and Kwanzan.
In the beginning the Marshfield Rotary club purchased a large amount of small cherry blossom sprigs and sold them to local residents. Volunteers planted several cherry blossom trees on public property and a series of promotions encouraged citizens to plant cherry blossoms throughout Marshfield.
Later, Inman formed the first "cherry blossom festival committee" for the 2006 blooming season. A dedicated and faithful group of community members volunteered and helped plan, organize, and establish Missouri’s only Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in 2014 Former First Lady Laura Bush gave the keynote address at the Cherry Blossom Festival Gala Dinner. Now, in its 18th year, the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival has welcomed visitors to Marshfield from across the globe. The festival, which takes place the last full weekend in April has grown into a multi-day event, which focuses on the festival’s mission to preserve and promote American History, Missouri State History and Webster County History. The festival is a bi-partisan weekend that celebrates the history that unites us all as American citizens.
The city of Marshfield shall forever profit, due to the dream of a young man, who dared to dream a little outside of the box.
Charter Members of the Cherry Blossom Festival Committee included: Rev. Nicholas W. Inman (Founder/President), Ione Dines (Vice President), Donata Spear (Treasurer)*, Sarah Spear Rader (Secretary), Sandra Speer, Carolyn Yates*, Helen Jackson*, Jane Robertson, Becky Tunnell, Elsie Myers*, Lesley Kays, Linda Rost Dickinson, Regetta Cable-Long, Kaitlyn McConnell, Kim Clift and Jurahee Crawford.
Cherry Blossom Committee members who have served in subsequent years have included: Jeanette Inman Alcorn, Peyton Andrews, Desi Becht, Emma Bell, Joan Bodey, June Boone, Larry Boone*, Kate Bryce*, Betty Jo Cantrell, Karen Case, Carol Cooksey, Dixie Dawson, Mark Dawson, Kathy Seery Edgeman, Shirley Essary, Joy Ewers, Terry Ewers, Jackie Fraker*, Marta Fraker, Janet Kay Gallagher, Karen Gore, Emma Henderson, Betty Herman, Joyce Inman, Reagan Inman, Anita Keeling, Fay King, Carol Koster, Becky McGoon, Melody Mikkelsen, Sue Minor, Jeannie Moreno, Kathy Muckala, Kem Myers Nuckels, Jill Phillips, Carla Pinkley, Ann Robinson*, Tammie Robison, Vicki Shalloup, Becky Simmons, Mona Sponsler, Emily Griffeth Truscott, John Tunnell and Georgene Verlin.
