The Woman Behind Michigan’s State Flower: Anna Eliza Reed Woodcock

April 19, 1897

On this day, Anna Eliza Reed Woodcock took some branches off her flowering apple tree.

She brought them via wheelbarrow down Capitol Avenue to the Michigan Statehouse.

While at the Statehouse, Annie adorned the office of the Speaker of the House with the blooming branches.

Annie had been looking out her kitchen window at her apple trees in full bloom. She suddenly thought they would make a great State Flower.

Knowing that the Legislature would be voting on a State Flower, she hoped her Apple Blossom branches would have some influence... and they did.

Annie's victory with the Legislature sparked a passion for apple blossoms.

She said,

I feel my apple blossoms have taken me to the top of the world.