Liberty Tree Dedication

The tree, donated by the Wallingford CT Historical Society, is a rare, disease-resistant American Liberty Elm descended from the historic Liberty Trees, where colonists gathered in the years leading up to the American Revolution. During the ceremony, a commemorative bronze plaque will also be unveiled.

In the summer of 1765, a large elm tree stood along Essex Street in Boston, Massachusetts. To most people it was simply a shade tree. Before long, however, it would become one of the most important symbols of American resistance to British rule. This tree became known as the Liberty Tree.

The trouble began when the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act of 1765. The law required colonists to buy official stamps for newspapers, legal documents, licenses, and many other printed materials. Many people believed the tax was unfair because the colonists had no representatives in Parliament. They argued that they should not be taxed…