NATIONAL CHERRY MONTH; February

HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHERRY MONTH

Cherries have been a staple for centuries. From the Roman Empire to the Chinese Dynasties, the little red fruits have been on the plate of millions and came to America by ship with early settlers in the 1600s.

Modern-day cherry production in the United States began in 1852 when Peter Dougherty started to plant cherry trees on Old Mission Peninsula in the state of Michigan. The Midwest area proved to have an ideal climate for growing cherries and mass harvesting soon took place, with the first commercial tart cherry orchards in Michigan being planted in 1893. Soon production surpassed other major crops and the first cherry processing facility, Traverse City Canning Company, was built with the ruby-red fruit soon being shipped to neighboring cities in the Midwest. Outreach to the entire country was created shortly after.

February was chosen as National Cherry Month for numerous reasons, one of which dates back to 1912 when Japan gifted 3000 cherry trees to the United States, a symbol of friendship between the two nations. The park where the trees were planted still stands in Washington DC. 

February is also the month where both President’s Day and George Washington’s Birthday occur, with Washington ingrained in American culture as the “alleged chopper of the cherry tree”. The tale goes that George Washington’s father had asked who chopped down a cherry tree on the family’s farm. The young Washington answered, “I cannot tell a lie, I chopped down the cherry tree.” This event helped shape the first president’s honest and trustworthy persona.

NATIONAL CHERRY MONTH TIMELINE

1920 Rising popularity.

The Maraschino cherry is so popular that America stops importing foreign cherries.

1896 Maraschino cherries are born.

Americans produce their first Maraschino cherries using liqueur.

1893 Tart cherries find their home.

Planted only miles from the first sweet cherries, tart cherries find their home in Michigan.

1852 Johnny Cherry-seed

Peter Dougherty begins planting cherry trees in Michigan.

1610s Coming to America

Cherries are brought to America with the first settlers.

#nationalcherrymonth