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Photographers and the Cherry Blossoms of D.C.

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In about a week, residents and visitors in Washington, D.C., will witness the peak bloom of the cherry blossom trees given to the nation by Japan over 100 years ago. This annual profusion of pink and white blossoms on the trees encircling the Tidal Basin draws thousands of people. Many stroll along the water to the Jefferson Memorial, rest under the trees and enjoy a picnic, and of course, take photographs of the trees as well as their friends and family under the blooms.

However, taking photographs at cherry blossom time is nothing new, even if people didn’t always have a smartphone in their pocket to whip out and snap pictures. While we wait for the flowers to appear – and spring along with them -  enjoy a look back at folks capturing the scene in years past with all manner of cameras.

[Photographers shooting Cherry blossoms, Washington, D.C. 4/7/22] Photo by National Photo Company,1922. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/npcc.28362
[Photographers shooting Cherry blossoms, Washington, D.C. 4/7/22] Photo by National Photo Company,1922. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/npcc.28362
Steady dad, this is for the folks at home. Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C. Photo by Martha McMillan Roberts, 1941 May. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b31146
Steady dad, this is for the folks at home. Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C. Photo by Martha McMillan Roberts, 1941 May. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b31146
Cameraman tree Cherry Blossom Queen. Washington, D.C., March 28. Peggy Townsend, pretty Washington Miss who will be crowned Queen of the Cherry Blossoms at appropriate ceremonies on Friday, was "treed" by the photographers as she arrived to get a preview of the beautiful blooms in Potomac Park today. Photo by Harris & Ewing, 1939 March 28. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hec.26381
Cameraman tree Cherry Blossom Queen. Washington, D.C., March 28. Peggy Townsend, pretty Washington Miss who will be crowned Queen of the Cherry Blossoms at appropriate ceremonies on Friday, was “treed” by the photographers as she arrived to get a preview of the beautiful blooms in Potomac Park today. Photo by Harris & Ewing, 1939 March 28. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hec.26381
Camera bugs snapping the cherry blossoms across the Tidal Basin. Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C. Photo by Martha McMillan Roberts, 1941 May. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b15096
Camera bugs snapping the cherry blossoms across the Tidal Basin. Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C. Photo by Martha McMillan Roberts, 1941 May. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b15096
Send your picture home. Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C. Photo by Martha McMillan Roberts, 1941May. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b37576
Send your picture home. Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C. Photo by Martha McMillan Roberts, 1941May. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8b37576

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