America’s Best Kept Secret:
The Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival and Presidential Family Reunion
by Mary Achor, Presidential Family Historian
One of America’s best kept secrets, it is called “The Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival and Presidential Family Reunion.” Descendants of presidential families—and history buffs of all stripes—eagerly gather there year after year after year.
It takes place in a quintessential small town in the Missouri Ozarks, a place called Marshfield, the birthplace of famed American astrophysicist, Edwin Hubble, about 30 miles from Springfield, Missouri.
It is held three magical days each April, and it is open to everyone! This year, 2015, the dates are April 23, 24, and 25. And, again, just in case you think it is only for celebrities, it is open to everyone!
This most unusual event should be on everyone’s bucket list to attend at least once. However, once you attend, you will be drawn back, again and again.
It is unlike anything else in the world.
Here in this tiny town, you’ll meet celebrities, noted authors, humanitarians, presidential descendants and historical luminaries from all over the world, from Princess Di’s butler, and cousins of Queen Elizabeth, to actors from The Waltons, to a Walt Disney artist, to the grandson of Charles Lindbergh, to former First Lady Laura Bush.
At the English Tea, you may chat with witty George Cleveland, who is the spitting image of his presidential grandfather. Or perhaps have dinner with Tom Washington, direct descendant of John Augustine Washington, George’s favorite full brother who took care of business while George Washington was away founding a country.
Or meet a descendant of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, who regaled us with stories of going to the Adams’ home, Peacefield, to sit in John Adams’ chair and wear his spectacles.
One year, there was a baby shower for the newborn descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. A Nixon went shopping for diapers at Wal-Mart with the other descendant of Thomas Jefferson.
Dr. Richard Harding merrily shared about President Harding’s imperious sister, who marched up to the White House, rapped on the door with her umbrella, and said, “I am the President’s sister, and I want to show these folks around.” The doorman gulped, said, “Yes, Ma’am,” and threw open the White House door.
It is the camaraderie that is the benediction. How astonishing to watch descendants of bitter political rivals sit and laugh by the hour. George Cleveland noted that there may have been acrimony between presidents, but “by the time we get to Marshfield, it’s all gone.”
–Mary Achor
