The first Curator of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum was Robert Drechsler who served in that position from the founding of the Museum in 1976 until 1998. In 2011, during the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Museum, an internship for the Museum was established by the National Bonsai Foundation to honor Mr. Drechsler for his many years of service. It was called the First Curator’s Apprenticeship.
The purpose of the apprenticeship is to educate and train a new generation of American bonsai artists. It is sponsored by Toyota North America and the Hill Foundation.
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2020 First Curator’s Apprentice.