This image is protected. Please enable Java in your browser to display it. The original objective of the National Bonsai Foundation was to build a North American bonsai pavilion at the U.S. National Arboretum .
Many people share credit for making the North American pavilion and collection a reality.
Marion Gyllenswan has been president or chairman of the Foundation from its beginning. Frederic L. Ballard, who became president in 1987, helped to elevate its fundraising and programmatic sights. Ruth Lamanna, its first treasurer, was responsible for its financial stability. Muriel Leeds made the first substantial donation in the form of her distinguished bonsai collection, to be retained or sold as the Foundation might elect. Subsequently, his generosity inspired more than 500 students, friends, admirers, bonsai organizations, and foundations to contribute to a fund for the pavilion named in his honor.