Release: Immediate
Contact: Claudia Dickens
Date: March 7, 2007
Phone: (202) 874-3019
WASHINGTON, DC – To celebrate the 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) will present an exhibit in its Visitor Center entitled The Loveliest of Trees, March 31 – April 15. The exhibit, which will be open weekdays and free to the public, will display various images of Washington’s famed cherry trees, including photographs, artwork, and engravings used for United States postage stamps and BEP-printed souvenir cards. The title of the exhibit comes from an excerpt of a poem by A.E. Housman that is printed on one of the souvenir cards.
In commemoration of the festival, a specially-created souvenir card depicting the BEP tree-lined façade on the Tidal Basin will be for sale for $9.95 in the Visitor Center. For bulk orders of 25 and over, the cost is $7.95. Visitors can view the card being printed on a 19th Century Spider Press during designated demonstration times.
The BEP Visitors Center entrance is located on 14th and C Streets, SW, Washington, DC. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Same-day tickets are required to take the free guided tour which runs from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The ticket booth, located on Raoul Wallenburg Place (formally 15th Street), opens at 8 a.m. and closes when all tickets have been distributed. Individuals may get a maximum of four tickets and groups of 25 or more are encouraged to call (202) 874-2330 to make a reservation at least one week prior to their visit. Additional information regarding BEP Tour and Visitor Center policies and procedures may be found at the BEP website, www.moneyfactory.gov.The Loveliest of Trees Exhibit is an Official event/program of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.