Spring 2016 Decoration Conferred on Dr. James P. Folsom
2016/7/7
On April 29th, 2016, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of its Spring 2016 Decorations, and within our jurisdiction Dr. James P. Folsom was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Dr. Folsom is the Marge and Sherm Telleen/Marion and Earle Jörgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens located in San Marino, California. He joined The Huntington in 1984 and has served as the Director of the Botanical Gardens since 1991. As the Director, he has offered the public in Southern California opportunities to learn about Japan and its culture through the Japanese Garden which was completed in 1912, among the oldest of its kind in North America. Leading up to its centennial in 2012, Dr. Folsom spearheaded the large-scale restoration of the Japanese Garden. In conjunction with the Japanese Garden’s reopening, Dr. Folsom oversaw The Huntington Botanical Gardens’ donation of 1,300 “Pink Cloud” cherry trees (a variety bred by The Huntington for the local climate) to public organizations and institutions in Southern California and Arizona to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tokyo’s gift of cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C.
The Conferment Ceremony for Dr. Folsom was held on June 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles. It was attended by approximately 40 guests, including Dr. Folsom’s family, friends, and members of The Huntington’s Board of Overseers. After the Ceremony, a reception was held and enjoyed by all the guests.
Dr. Folsom is the Marge and Sherm Telleen/Marion and Earle Jörgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens located in San Marino, California. He joined The Huntington in 1984 and has served as the Director of the Botanical Gardens since 1991. As the Director, he has offered the public in Southern California opportunities to learn about Japan and its culture through the Japanese Garden which was completed in 1912, among the oldest of its kind in North America. Leading up to its centennial in 2012, Dr. Folsom spearheaded the large-scale restoration of the Japanese Garden. In conjunction with the Japanese Garden’s reopening, Dr. Folsom oversaw The Huntington Botanical Gardens’ donation of 1,300 “Pink Cloud” cherry trees (a variety bred by The Huntington for the local climate) to public organizations and institutions in Southern California and Arizona to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tokyo’s gift of cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C.
The Conferment Ceremony for Dr. Folsom was held on June 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles. It was attended by approximately 40 guests, including Dr. Folsom’s family, friends, and members of The Huntington’s Board of Overseers. After the Ceremony, a reception was held and enjoyed by all the guests.