Eliza Scidmore: From Early White House Reporting to Washington’s Cherry Trees

Eliza Scidmore earned her journalistic stripes as a “society writer” in Gilded Age Washington, reporting from the White House and around the nation’s capital. Fired by a spirit of adventure, she took up travel writing, educating Americans about little-known places like Alaska and Japan. In her best-known legacy, Scidmore carried home from Japan the idea of planting cherry-blossom trees along the banks of the new Potomac Park-an idea that came about with the forceful support of First Lady Helen Taft.
In this episode of History Happy Hour we hear biographer Diana Parsell discuss Scidmore’s life, cherry tree efforts and encounters with occupants of the White House over many administrations.
Starting February 1st, we are partnering with Diageo North America, who will bring new and innovative cocktails to life during our mixology sessions.