The original
cherry tree
planting in Washington 100 years ago was directed by Baltimore-born Col. Spencer Cosby, who helped develop
Potomac Park
as superintendent of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds. Cosby worked with the Japanese government on making sure their gift of 3,000 trees arrived and passed inspection. On March 27, 1912, the first two cherry trees were planted, one by
first lady Helen Herron Taft
and the other by Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, according to the National Park Service. These two trees still survive, marked by a bronze plaque.