photo by: Steven Allen Adams

From left, Governor’s Mansion Banquet Supervisor Kevin Comer, state Sen. T. Kevan Bartlett, R-Kanawha; Municipal Beautification Commission Chairwoman Anna Forbes; Gov. Patrick Morrisey; and state Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, plant the first of six cherry blossom trees on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion Tuesday.

CHARLESTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey and first lady Denise Morrisey took part Tuesday in planting several cherry blossom trees on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion, paying tribute to West Virginia’s friendship with Japan, the 100th anniversary of the Governor’s Mansion and a tree-planting effort across the capital city.

The Morriseys were joined Tuesday morning at the Governor’s Mansion by several lawmakers, and Anna Forbes, chairwoman of the City of Charleston’s Municipal Beautification Commission, for the ceremonial planting of one of six cherry blossom trees.

“They’re going to bring some new life, some new color and more pride to our capital city,” Morrisey said.

The cherry blossom trees were donated to the Governor’s Mansion by the City of Charleston and several groups and individuals, including the Jacobson Foundation, the Daywood Foundation, the Kanawha Garden Club, Rev. Jack Lipphardt and Lisa Barnhart Reed. The trees sprang from seeds of the famous Tidal Basin cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C., donated to the nation by the government of Japan.

West Virginia has a long relationship with Japan, dating back to former Gov. Jay Rockefeller, who lived in Japan for three years for post-college studies. Connections Rockefeller made as governor and later U.S. senator led to Toyota coming to the state, as well as more than 20 other companies. West Virginia also maintains an economic development office in Japan.

“Here in West Virginia, we have a very proud history with Japan, a country whose friendship and partnership with West Virginia continues to grow stronger every single year,” Morrisey said.

The planting of the cherry blossom trees also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Governor’s Mansion. The Georgian colonial residence was completed in 1925 by architect Walter F. Martens, according to the West Virginia Encyclopedia.

“As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the mansion, I think it’s important to note so much of the rich history that went into making all this happen,” Morrisey said.

The cherry blossom trees are part of an effort to plant more than 1,000 flowering trees throughout Charleston. Last week, Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and the city’s Municipal Beautification Commission held the initial tree-planting ceremony at the City Building for the Appalachian Spring Project, which will plant flowering trees and other trees around the city over the next three years.