February 1892

Following lengthy negotiations between the government of Japan and exposition officials, Daniel Burnham, the exhibition's chief of construction, enthusiastically wrote to landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted on February 5, 1891 to explain that the Japanese "propose to do the most exquisitely beautiful things…and desire to leave the buildings as a gift to the City of Chicago."

On February 11, 1892, Japan made a formal offer to the City of Chicago to gift the Phoenix Pavilion to the city following the exposition.

On February 19, 1892, the City of Chicago accepted Japan’s offer and agreed to maintain the Phoenix Pavilion permanently on the Wooded Island as a symbol of peaceful relations between the two nations, and place for visitors to learn about Japan and experience Japanese culture.

March 1893

On March 31, 1893, the Phoenix Pavilion was dedicated on the Wooded Island.

July 1935

Chicago opened a new Japanese garden next to the restored Phoenix Pavilion and new tea house, creating the best place to experience Japanese culture outside Japan.

July and October 1946

Following the end of WWII, the Phoenix Pavilion was lost to two arson fires, and the garden was nearly forgotten.

June 1981

In the 1970’s a resurgence in grass-roots efforts to support the U.S.-Japan relations led to the restoration of site with a new Japanese garden designed by master gardener, Kenji Domoto.

October 1993

Chicago’s Sister City, Osaka, donates a Japanese gate to the Japanese garden and is dedicated as a symbol of people-to-people relations and the garden is named the Osaka Garden.

August 2002

The Osaka Garden is renovated by master gardener, Sadafumi Uchiyama.

March 2013

Chicago celebrates the 120th Anniversary of the Phoenix Pavilion, plants over 120 cherry blossom trees, and renames the site (including the Osaka Garden and site of the lost Phoenix Pavilion) as the Garden of the Phoenix recognizing the sites history and importance as a symbol of U.S.-Japan relations.

June 2015

Yoko Ono hold a ground healing ceremony on the site of the lost Phoenix Pavilion to prepare it for the installation of SKYLANDING.

October 2016

SKYLANDING is dedicated on the site of the Phoenix Pavilion as a call for peace and mutual respect and understanding among people of all nations.

June 2018

The Japanese government dispatches master gardener, Mitsuhashi to develop the City of Chicago’s framework plan for the completion of the Garden of the Phoenix, including the integration of the Japanese garden and SKYLANDING and siting of a new tea house.

July 2019

The Japanese government dispatches a team of Japanese master gardeners led by Mitsuhashi to complete the waterfall, add pathways, and prun trees and shrubs.

September 2019

Master Charles Kim begins Peace Day by performing peace breathing at SKYLANDING at dawn.

Next

Completion of the Garden of the Phoenix framework plan projects and dedication of the site as a symbol of peace among all people.