At the National Bonsai Foundation®, we’re driven by our passion for bonsai. We're preserving a history, protecting a legacy and preparing a future.
We do this work through the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in partnership with the U.S. National Arboretum, as their private collaborator.
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Our Mission | Our History | Our Milestones | Our People | Our Annual Reports | Financials
“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
Named one of the “Best Arts & Culture Nonprofits”
- Washington City Paper Readers’ Poll
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. The National Bonsai Foundation promotes the art of bonsai, penjing, and viewing stones.
Our History
In 1976, in honor of America’s Bicentennial, the people of Japan gave the gift of bonsai to the citizens of the United States. Once the trees arrived in Washington, DC, the Potomac Bonsai Association (PBA) provided volunteers to work with the staff of the U.S. National Arboretum to keep the trees in outstanding display condition. These first bonsai would later go on to form the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.
Group moves bonsai from Glenn Dale, MD to arboretum in 1976.
Janet Lanman
In 1979, PBA Volunteer, Janet Lanman along with Dr. John Creech, Director of the Arboretum and Marion Gyllenswan, a well known bonsai teacher, discussed the possibility of acquiring American bonsai. Later, a group of Arboretum volunteers, as well as students of Bonsai Master Yuji Yoshimura, organized the National Bonsai Committee. In 1982, the committee, which included Marion Gyllenswan, Janet Lanman, Felix Laughlin, Muriel Leeds, Chase Rosade and Jerold Stowell, formed the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF).
The National Bonsai Foundation recruited directors from all sections of the country, and established a board that included Marybel Balendonck, Larry Ragle, Melba Tucker, Frederic Ballard and H. William Merritt. The first Executive Director role was filled by MaryAnn Orlando.
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 goal coming out of that celebration was to build an American Bonsai Pavilion that would complement the Japanese Pavilion. The two pavilions would allow the similarities and differences in this ever-evolving art form to be studied and enjoyed. That dream 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 1st of that year in honor of two American Bonsai Masters. Today, The Yuji Yoshimura Educational Center is a classroom and work space area, while 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.
People Behind the Foundation
The National Bonsai Foundation® exists because of the dedication of these fine people.
INTERIM CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Daniel Angelucci - Pittsburgh, PA
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Ross Campbell - Silver Spring, MD
BOARD MEMBERS
Julie Crudele - Annapolis, MD
Deborah Rose, PhD - Beltsville, MD
Stephen Voss - Washington, DC
CHAIR EMERITUS
James Hughes - University Park, MD
Felix Laughlin - Asheville, North Carolina
Jack Sustic - Durand, Michigan
Richard Kahn, PhD - Chevy Chase, MD
Advisors
Richard Olsen, PhD Director, U. S. National Arboretum
Michael James, Curator, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
Kathleen Emerson-Dell, Assistant Curator, Artifact Collections, National Bonsai & Penjing Museum
DONORS
Full list of generous donors from 2022
Staff
Bobbie J. Alexander, MBA, Executive Director
Kendra Rubinfeld & Travis Hare (KRPR), Communications Consultant & Web Designer