Ellen Gordon Allen Fund
The mission of this fund is to honor the founder of Ikebana International, Ellen Gordon Allen, through projects that promote, educate, and enhance the art of ikebana.  This work includes:

• Purchase and acquisition of educational research materials.
• Supporting libraries on ikebana.
• Funding projects which recognize the interests of the founder.
• Enhancing the EGA Memorial Garden at the US National Arboretum.

Ongoing funding comes from:

• Donations from Chapter No.1, as memorials for deceased members.
• Donations from members and other individuals or organizations.

Ellen Gordon Allen Memorial Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum

Ikebana International and Chapter No. 1 members have made a number of gifts to the National Arboretum. Among these are: In 1968 a stone lantern, red bridge and rocks were presented to the National Arboretum by Mrs. Wayne Todd, Past President of Chapter No. 1; and in 1979, Chapter No. 1 presented The Mary Cokely Wood Collection of Rare Ikebana Books to the National Agricultural Library for research.

The Memorial Garden was presented to the American people as a gift from Chapter No.1, Ikebana International and friends around the world, with the cooperation of the Friends of the U.S. National Arboretum in 1983.  This elegant and stately garden forms the entrance to the National Arboretum’s beautiful Bonsai Collection as a lasting tribute to Ellen Gordon Allen’s foresight, dedication, and love of beauty.

Recent gifts were in April 2012 when Chapter No. 1 funded the installation of a cherry tree named “First Lady” to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the first planting of cherry trees in Washington, DC. The tree was dedicated in conjunction with the opening of the 2012 Spring Exhibition.  Again, in 2018 the Chapter planted a dogwood tree “in celebration of our past 60 years and those who devoted their efforts to spread Friendship through Flowers.”  This dogwood does not have a name at this time.