Circle 017A: Kyoto Japan Delegation, April 17, 1980

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After seven years of planning and international cooperation for the Sister City program between Boston and Kyoto Japan, Mayors Kevin H. White and Motoki Funahashi officially dedicated the authentic Kyonoma-Chiya - a Japanese artisan's house, shop, and ornate garden. The 150 year-old two-story wooden house is on permanent display at the Boston Children's Museum.

The dedication ceremonies on April 17th concluded a four-day visit to the United States by an official delegation from Kyoto. Mayor and Mrs. Funahashi and the twenty-two member delegation were welcomed by Mrs. Kathryn White, Boston's Vice-Mayor Edward Sullivan, Dr. Jan Fontein, Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Vernon Alden, President of the Japan Society of Boston.

The Dunfey family hosted a Special Circle formal breakfast at the Parker House on the morning of the dedication. Civic and business leaders gathered together in honor of the gift from the City of Kyoto to the City of Boston and the long-standing relationships established by principals in the arts, corporate, and academic communities of the two cities. Maestro Seiji Ozawa, conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra made a rare personal appearance to join Roy Dunfey, Jerry Dunfey, Dr. Fontein, and Michael Spock, Director of the Children's Museum, to promote a better understanding of the cultural similarities and differences of both countries.

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