Anne Frank Center USA Expands Sapling Project with New Planting Locations
Expanding the Living Legacy of Anne Frank
The Anne Frank Center USA celebrated the expansion of its Sapling Project on April 3, 2025, announcing four new organizations that will receive saplings cultivated from the iconic horse chestnut tree that stood behind the Secret Annex in Amsterdam. This initiative is rooted in the enduring legacy of Anne Frank, aiming to educate and inspire a new generation through the joys of nature.
New Recipients of Anne Frank's Saplings
The latest recipients of the saplings include:
- - National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education at Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA
- - Fairmont Junior/Senior High School, Fairmont, MN
- - Stockton University, Stockton, NJ
- - Carla Olman Peperzak Middle School, Spokane, WA
In spring 2025, the Anne Frank Center USA will plant these saplings in designated areas at each of these institutions, creating living tributes to Anne Frank's message of hope. Ambius, a leader in interior landscaping and plant services, has stepped in as a partner to manage the transportation and logistics of the delicate saplings. They will ensure the trees are kept under optimal temperature conditions for a successful transition to their new homes.
A Living Tribute to Nature and Memory
Dr. Lauren A. Bairnsfather, CEO of the Anne Frank Center USA, expressed her enthusiasm for this phase of the Sapling Project: “We are thrilled to build on our thriving Sapling Project with the designation of four new trees to be planted in a living tribute to Anne Frank's legacy. This initiative helps us share her love of nature with organizations committed to preserving her memory through education and humanity.”
The Sapling Project is a beacon of hope and represents a commitment to fostering remembrance and resilience. The organization has received significant interest in this initiative, prompting them to maintain a waitlist for future sapling recipients. Moreover, to keep this compelling project alive, the Anne Frank Center USA is actively fundraising, relying on the generosity of its supporters. More information about donations can be found at www.annefrank.com/donate/.
The Impact of Anne Frank's Chestnut Tree
Anne Frank's beloved chestnut tree was more than just flora; it symbolized beauty and freedom from confinement. In her diary, she reflects on gazing out at the tree, describing the changing seasons and the life surrounding it. In 1944, during one of her poignant entries, she wrote, "As long as this exists, how can I be sad?" This sentiment captures the essence of hope she held onto during her years of hiding.
Otto Frank, Anne's father, once addressed how significant this tree was to his daughter, emphasizing its crucial role in providing glimpses of nature to a girl who felt trapped. Her drawn connections to the tree reveal how profoundly nature influenced her spirit.
A Legacy in Preservation
Initiated in 2009, the Sapling Project aims to preserve the original chestnut tree by germinating chestnuts and distributing saplings to organizations preserving Anne Frank's legacy. In 2010, the original tree succumbed to age and disease, but the Anne Frank Center USA emerged as the sole organization globally to cultivate its descendants. To date, they have distributed saplings to various renowned locations, including the U.S. Capitol and the United Nations Headquarters, creating a nationwide network of living memorials.
About the Anne Frank Center USA
Founded through the fundraising efforts of Otto Frank during the 1950s, the Anne Frank Center USA has evolved into an established nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Anne Frank’s legacy. With its headquarters in New York, the organization has successfully reached hundreds of thousands of students across twenty-two states and the District of Columbia within the past year.
The commitment to advancing education about the Holocaust through Anne's experiences continues to resonate across generations. Her diary remains one of the most poignant and powerful memoirs of that era, illustrating courage and hope against the backdrop of adversity. Translated into over 70 languages, the message of her story has been shared with millions, leaving an indelible mark on young minds today.
For more information about the Anne Frank Center USA and to support the Sapling Project, visit www.annefrank.com.
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