The National Bonsai Foundation is driven by a passion for bonsai and the Museum.
“What most people don’t realize when visiting the Museum is that much of what they see would not be possible without the support of the National Bonsai Foundation.”
OUR MISSION
Founded in 1982, the National Bonsai Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that works in cooperation with the U.S. National Arboretum to supply financial, programmatic and curatorial support for the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. The Foundation offices and Museum are located on the grounds of the Arboretum in Northeast Washington, DC. This private/public collaboration between the Foundation and the Arboretum enables the Museum to promote the art of bonsai and penjing to visitors through masterpiece displays and educational programs while also fostering intercultural friendship and understanding.
Our History
In 1976, the people of Japan gave the gift of bonsai to the citizens of the United States in honor of their Bicentennial. These bonsai were the first to form the Museum. From the very beginning there was widespread support from the bonsai community for this incredible gift. In 1972 the American Bonsai Society, a national organization, and Bonsai Clubs International, a world-wide organization, endorsed the project. Once the trees arrived in Washington, DC, the Potomac Bonsai Association, an umbrella organization for Bonsai Clubs in the Washington D.C. area, provided volunteers to work with the staff of the U.S. National Arboretum in order to keep the trees in outstanding display condition.
Group moves bonsai from Glenn Dale, MD to arboretum in 1976.
Three of these volunteers we owe notable gratitude to, including Ruth Lamanna, Janet Lanman and David Garvin. All three later played significant roles in the development of both the Museum and the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF).
Janet Lanman
In 1979, Janet Lanman discussed with Dr. John Creech, Director of the Arboretum, the possibility of acquiring American bonsai for the Museum. Shortly thereafter Dr. Creech pursued this idea in a proposal to Marion Gyllenswan, a well known bonsai teacher. He called for an independent body of bonsai authorities to review private bonsai collections of distinction and to develop a plan for their preservation, possibly as part of a national collection.
Acting on this suggestion, a group of Arboretum volunteers and students of Bonsai Master Yuji Yoshimura organized the National Bonsai Committee. Members of this committee included Marion Gyllenswan, Janet Lanman, Felix Laughlin, Muriel Leeds, Chase Rosade and Jerold Stowell, all of whom would later play prominent roles in supporting the Museum.
In 1982, the National Bonsai Committee was incorporated as the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF), a non-profit section 501 (c) (3) organization whose mission is to support the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum. NBF recruited directors from all sections of the country, and the first Board included Marybel Balendonck, Larry Ragle and Melba Tucker from California, Frederic Ballard from Pennsylvania and H. William Merritt of Maryland. MaryAnn Orlando served as the Executive Director and principal fund raiser for NBF.
In 1986, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Japanese Bicentennial gift, NBF held a Gala Celebration and set the agenda for the future. The main goal coming out of that celebration was to build an American Bonsai Pavilion to display a collection of North American Bonsai and to complement the Japanese Pavilion so that the similarities and differences in this ever-evolving art form could be studied and enjoyed.
The dream envisioned in the Gala Celebration program became a reality in 1990. As part of the ongoing collaboration between the Arboretum and NBF a new section of the Museum was dedicated on October 1 of that year in honor of two American Bonsai Masters. The Yuji Yoshimura Educational Center is a classroom and work space area, and the John Y. Naka North American Pavilion provides the display area for the North American bonsai collection.
OUR Milestones
The National Bonsai Foundation has had many milestones since its founding in 1982. See a full timeline of all of these important events by clicking the button below.
1982
The National Bonsai Foundation is founded to support the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. As a nonprofit section 501(c)(3) organization, its mission is to cooperate with the U.S. National Arboretum by offering aid and advice in support of the Museum.
The Museum logo of a Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii is adopted by NBF as its logo.
1983
Marion Gyllenswan appointed first President of NBF.
1986
Timeless Trees: The U.S. National Bonsai Collection by Mary & Peter Bloomer is published by Horizons West Publications.
1989
Publication of the NBF Bulletin commences.
1990
The John Y. Naka North American Pavilion for the North American bonsai collection and the Yuji Yoshimura Educational Center are dedicated after NBF raises funds for their construction. NBF selects more than 50 North American bonsai for donation to the Museum and for display in the new Pavilion. Included is Bonsai Master John Naka’s “Goshin”, one of the most famous bonsai in the world.
Frederic Ballard appointed as second President of NBF.
1993
Construction of the Haruo Kaneshiro Tropical Conservatory and the George Yamaguchi Garden is completed with funding provided by the Foundation. Seventeen tropical species bonsai are selected by NBF for display in the Conservatory.
1996
The Yee-sun Wu Chinese Garden Pavilion for the display of penjing and the Mary E. Mrose International Pavilion for Information, Education and Cultural Exhibits are completed with NBF funds. NBF selects North American viewing stones for the permanent collection.
Felix B. Laughlin becomes the third President of NBF.
1997
Death of Yuji Yoshimura and NBF establishes a fund to benefit the Museum in his honor.
1998
An exhibit of trees and stones inspired by the teaching of Bonsai Master Yuji Yoshimura opens in the Special Exhibits Wing to commemorate his teaching and his life.
1999
The NBF website is launched.
2000
Awakening the Soul: The National Viewing Stone Collection is the first book published by the National Bonsai Foundation.
2001
NBF sponsors the first North American Bonsai Pot Competition for ceramic artists.
NBF publishes The Bonsai Saga: How the Bicentennial Collection Came to America by former U.S. National Arboretum Director, Dr. John Creech.
A translation into English of Forest, Rock Planting & Ezo Spruce Bonsai by the Japanese Bonsai Master Saburo Kato is published by NBF.
NBF, along with the U.S. National Arboretum and the Potomac Bonsai Association, are selected by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation as the sponsoring hosts for the 5th World Bonsai Convention to be held in Washington D.C. in 2005.
Johann Klodzen is appointed NBF Executive Director.
2002
NBF cosponsors with the U.S. National Arboretum an International Symposium on Bonsai and Viewing Stones.
2003
With significant funding from NBF, the Maria Vanzant Upper Courtyardand the H. William Merritt Entrance Gate to the Japanese Stroll Garden are dedicated.
NBF becomes a membership organization supported by annual dues, as well as contributions.
2004
On May 19th NBF Honorary Director John Y. Naka dies and a fund is established in his honor.
NBF cosponsors with the U.S. National Arboretum a symposium on Penjing.
2005
The 5th World Bonsai Convention convenes in Washington D.C. from May 28 - 31.
NBF funds the completion of the Rose Family Garden and the paving of the lower courtyard.
John Naka’s Sketchbook and the Proceedings of the International Symposium on Bonsai and Viewing Stones are published by NBF.
The NBF Bulletin changes from a black and white format to color printing.
2006
The NBF website is redesigned.
2007
NBF celebrates its 25th anniversary as the support organization for the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum.
2011
Death of Daizo Iwasaki, NBF Honorary Director and Museum Benefactor
2010
The NBF Facebook page is launched.
2012
30th anniversary of NBF. Launch of the "Campaign for the Japanese Pavilion: A Gift Renewed."
2013
Janet Lanman, who was associated with Museum since its inception, and a Museum volunteer as well as a member of the NBF Board, was elected as an Honorary Director.
NBF gives $1.5 million to the USNA for the reconstruction of the Japanese Pavilion.
2014
"Museum Messages", a monthly email to supporters of the Museum, is launched.
2015
The NBF video, "A Window into Nature: The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum", is made available to the public.
2017
Japanese Pavilion rededicated - October 6, 2017
People Behind the Foundation
The National Bonsai Foundation exists because of the dedication of these fine people.
The National Bonsai Foundation's Board of Directors (Spring 2018 - Stephen Voss Photography)
Legacy Circle
John Creech (1920 – 2009), Daizo Iwasaki (1916 – 2011), Saburo Kato (1915 – 2008), John Naka (1915 – 2004), Yee sun-Wu (1902 – 2005), Yuji Yoshimura (1921 – 1997)
Honorary Directors
- Dr. Thomas S. Elias - Claremont, California
- Mr. Jiro Fukuda - Tokyo, Japan
- Mr. Yun-hua Hu - Shanghai, China
- Mrs. Naemi Iwasaki - Niihama, Ehime, Japan
- Mrs. Janet E. Lanman - Bethesda, Maryland
Officers
Mr. Felix B. Laughlin (’20) - Hillsboro Beach, Florida, President
- Mrs. Marybel Balendonck (’20) - Fullerton, California, Vice President
- Dr. Carl Morimoto('18) - San Jose, California, Vice President
- Mr. Alan Walker(’18) - Lake Charles, Louisiana, Secretary
- Mrs. Janice Vitale ('19) - Great Falls, Virginia, Treasurer
members
- Mr. Julian Adams (’18) - Lynchburg, Virginia
- Mr. James Brant (’20) - Royersford, Pennsylvania
- Dr. Roger S. Case, Jr. (’18) - Oregon City, Oregon
- Mr. Christopher Cochrane ('19) - Glen Allen, Virginia
- Ms. Julie Crudele('20) - Annapolis, Maryland
- Mr. Edward Fabian, ('18) - Niceville, Florida
- Dr. Joseph Gutierrez ('18) - McLean, Virginia
- Dr. Karen Harkaway ('18) - Moorestown, New Jersey
- Mr. James Hughes ('20) - University Park, Maryland
- Ms. Cheryl Manning (’18) - Los Angeles, California
- Mr. Brussel Martin (’19) - Olive Branch, Mississippi
- Mrs. Hideko Metaxas ('18) - Larkspur, California
- Mr. Douglas Paul ('18) - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
- Mr. Larry Ragle (’20) - Laguna Beach, California
- Dr. Errol Reese ('19) - Hillsboro Beach, Florida
- Mr. Glenn Reusch (’19) - Rochelle, Virginia
- Mr. F. Chase Rosade (’19) - New Hope, Pennsylvania
- Dr. Deborah Rose (’19) - Beltsville, Maryland
- Mrs. Marilyn Stevenson ('19) - Poway, California
- Mr. Jack Sustic, ('19) - Lennon, Michigan
- Mr. William N. Valavanis (’19) - West Henrietta, New York
- Mr. Douglas Varley ('18) - Washington D.C.
- Mr. Jack W. Wells (’19) - Sarasota, Florida
- Mrs. Jane Yamashiroya ('19) - Honolulu, Hawaii
Ex-Officio
- Dr. Karen Harkaway - Moorestown, New Jersey, President, American Bonsai Society
- Dr. Thomas S. Elias - Claremont, California, President, Bonsai Clubs International
- Ms. LeAnn Duling - Woodbridge, Virginia, President, Potomac Bonsai Association
- Mrs. Solita Rosade - New Hope, Pennsylvania, President, North American Bonsai Federation of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation
Advisors
- Dr. Richard Olsen, Director, U. S. National Arboretum
- Mr. Michael James, Curator, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
- Mr. Scott Aker, Gardens Unit Leader, U.S. National Arboretum
- Mrs. Carole Bordelon, Supervisory Horticulturist, U. S. National Arboretum
- Mrs. Kathleen Emerson-Dell, Assistant Curator, Artifact Collections, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
- Mrs. Erin Holden, Museum Gardener, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Staff
- Dr. Johann F. Klodzen, Executive Director
- Mrs. Elizabeth Moffett, Burdette Smith & Bish LLC, Accountant
- Mrs. Donna Ellis, Ellis Design, Publication Design
- Ms. Lauren Ellis, Ellis Design, Design Advisor
- Avery Anapol, Social Media & Marketing Consultant
- Kendra Rubinfeld & Travis Hare (KRPR), Communications Consultant & Web Designer
- Mr. Alex Breyer, Merrill Lynch, Financial Consultant