(Minutes have been reorganized by topic and timeliness.)

I. GUEST SPEAKER: DR. THOMAS S. ELIAS, Director, U.S. National Arboretum

Dr. Elias came to gather support and spread the message about the effort to build a Classical Chinese Garden at the National Arboretum. Dr. Elias got the attendees excited about the project, the potential collaborations with AAJA, and the future benefits to the D.C. Asian American community and the national population at large.

With 12 acres and 16 buildings, the Classical Chinese Garden is hoped to become a major draw, if not the major draw, at the National Arboretum. Dr. Elias envisions it to be the finest classical garden outside of China. The tranquil environment is planned to include a lake, a two-story teahouse, pavilions for magnificent views, and a traditional Chinese White Pagoda. The public will be able to explore what makes a classical Chinese garden: a balance between structures, rockeries and stones, water, plants, and artworks.

The concept was first discussed two years ago, and last October a memorandum of understanding was signed by Chinese and U.S. officials. The design was developed by a joint team of designers from China and the U.S., and it will likely be three years before the garden could be built.

Dr. Elias said China's contribution to society and culture has been great but often unrecognized. He has observed this over many years of studying Asian botany and stones. In 1978, Dr. Elias was a member of the first botanical delegation to visit China. In 1977, he helped facilitate the first exchange of plant materials between China and the U.S. The Chinese Classical Garden would provide research opportunities, promote friendly relations between the two governments and promote cultural understanding.

The garden would also be a site for cultural classes and community gatherings. Dr. Elias and his wife, Hiromi Nakaoji, said they hope to multiply manifold the attendance of the annual Mid-Autumn Moon Night Festival at the Arboretum. They emphasized that the Classical Chinese Garden will be for all of D.C. and the nation.

DETAILS: Dr. Elias provided packets of information about the conceptual plan. Members can contact HyunJu (aajadc@yahoo.com) if they would like to receive copies of the information, or go to www.usna.usda.gov.

ACTION: Dr. Elias is hoping to build interest and support for the garden in the Asian American community. Suggestions were made that the arboretum would be a beautiful place for an AAJA event and that possibly AAJA and OCA could have a community mixer at the arboretum. Also, Dr. Elias and Hiromi Nakaoji were happy to share more of their knowledge of Asian stones and gardens and invited the chapter to have its Sept. or Oct. meeting at their home.