Lanterns and Cherry Blossoms: Pi Beta Phi’s 1922 Spring Soirée
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
May 20, 1922
On this day, dear readers, we find ourselves transported to the vibrant campus of West Virginia University, where the sisters of Pi Beta Phi sorority are eagerly preparing for a most enchanting celebration of spring.
Can you picture the excitement buzzing through the sorority house as the young women plan their festivities?
In a charming report of their activities to the 1922 edition of The Arrow, the chapter's enthusiasm is palpable:
The spring party comes on May 20.
It will be a Japanese party, with lanterns, spring blossoms, and wooden programs.
Oh, what a delightful scene this conjures in the mind's eye! Imagine, if you will, the sorority house transformed into a Japanese garden, with delicate paper lanterns casting a soft glow over the proceedings.
Can you not see the spring blossoms, carefully arranged to evoke the beauty of cherry trees in full bloom?
And those wooden programs - what a charming touch! One can almost feel the smooth texture of the wood, perhaps adorned with painted cherry blossoms or intricate Japanese motifs.
This glimpse into the social life of 1922 offers us a fascinating window into the cultural interests and aesthetics of the time. The choice of a Japanese theme speaks to a growing fascination with Eastern cultures in the West during this period.
As we reflect on this springtime celebration from a century ago, let us consider how our own celebrations of the season have evolved.
Do we still take the time to welcome spring with such elaborate festivities?
Perhaps this charming anecdote from the Pi Beta Phi sisters of 1922 might inspire us to infuse our own spring celebrations with a touch of whimsy and cultural exploration.
After all, is there any better way to welcome the renewal of spring than by broadening our horizons and embracing the beauty of diverse cultures?
Until next time, dear readers, may your own spring celebrations be as enchanting and memorable as this Japanese-themed soirée from the annals of collegiate history!
