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 foundation is a DC nonprofit.

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 (U.S. bonsai and Canadian 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.

2010

Death of Daizo Iwasaki, NBF Honorary Director and Museum Benefactor

2011

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

2018

2019

2020

Felix Laughlin and Jack Sustic elected Co-Presidents

National Symphony Orchestra performs at the Museum

Dr. Johann Klodzen retires as Executive Director

Bobbie Alexander first joins as Interim Administrative Director and then later in the year named Executive Director

Felix Laughlin and Jack Sustic retire as Co-Presidents

Jim Hughes elected unanimously as Chair of the Board of Directors

NBF earned a GuideStar Gold Seal of Transparency, one of the highest ratings from GuideStar, a leading source of nonprofit financial information for prospective donors and funders.

The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum was voted one of the “Best Places to Take an Out-of-Towner” for the third consecutive year in Washington City Paper Readers’ Poll. 

Through a generous donor, NBF was able to secure the architectural firms of Reed Hilderbrand and Trahan to create a Museum Master Plan.  A concept design was developed and were approved in September by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. 

2021

Named one of the “Best Arts & Culture Nonprofits” by Washington City Paper Readers’ Poll.

For the fourth year in a row, the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum was voted one of the “Best Places to Take an Out-of-Towner” and “Best Place to Meditate by Washington City Paper Readers’ Poll.

National Bonsai Foundation celebrates its 40 year anniversary.

National Bonsai Foundation publishes Cultivated Stones: Chinese Scholars' Rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection.  Text by Kathleen Emerson-Dell, Kemin Hu, Phillip E. Bloom, Robert Stern, Richard Kahn, Joseph and Jana Roussel.

2022

National Bonsai Foundation celebrates its 40 year anniversary.

National Bonsai Foundation publishes Cultivated Stones: Chinese Scholars' Rocks from the Kemin Hu Collection.  Text by Kathleen Emerson-Dell, Kemin Hu, Phillip E. Bloom, Robert Stern, Richard Kahn, Joseph and Jana Roussel.