 Georgia State Society Records
Collection DescriptionHistorical NoteThe Georgia State Society is a nonprofit social organization whose membership includes Georgians and friends of Georgians living and working in Washington, D.C. First established in 1885 the Georgia State Society is the oldest state society in continuous operation in Washington, D.C. and is one of many organizations that comprise the National Conference of State Societies. The aim of the organization is to promote friendly relations among Georgians as well as provide service to Georgians in need in the Washington D.C. area. The Society's major events include the Cherry Blossom Festival and coronation as well as the Georgia Products Dinner, both occurring annually. The National Cherry Blossom Festival has its origins in the planting of two cherry blossom trees on the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. on March 27, 1912. First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda Iwa, wife of the Japanese Ambassador Chinda Sutemi, each planted a cherry blossom tree on the northern bank of the Potomac River as a token of friendship between the people of Japan and the United States. The first National Cherry Blossom Festival was held in 1927, coordinated by the Greater Washington Cherry Blossom Festival Committee, Inc. Each U.S. state and territory, represented by their respective state society, selects a Cherry Blossom Princess to participate in festival activities. At the Grand Ball at the end of the week's festivities, a Queen is chosen at random by spinning a wheel. The resulting Queen receives many honors, including a trip to Japan. The Georgia Products Dinner is an annual event that serves Georgia-grown and Georgia-manufactured products to hundreds of guests with the aim of emphasizing the possibilities of Georgia's resources. The event began in the early 20th century and inspired multiple local product dinners throughout the state of Georgia. Scope and ContentThe Georgia State Society Records contain administrative files, correspondence, event ephemera, photographs, scrapbooks, and artifacts documenting the activities of the Georgia State Society. The bulk of the collection pertains to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, containing programs, pamphlets, biographies of the Cherry Blossom Princesses and Queens, photographs, and artifacts. The bulk of the correspondence documents the Society's history under the leadership of Mrs. Leone Buchholz (Mrs. H. F. Buchholz), including her feud with Congressman Robert Stephens. A smaller collection of correspondence originates from Patience Russell Peterson's tenure as president of the Society. Cherry Blossom Festival photos cover a period from roughly the 1960s through the 1990s. Organization and ArrangementThis collection is arranged in three series: Series I: Files and Correspondence Series II: Photographs and Scrapbooks Series III: Artifacts Administrative InformationConditions Governing AccessThis collection is open for research. Preferred CitationGeorgia State Society Records. Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641. Copyright InformationBefore material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject Terms | ||||||||||||||||||||