Week 7: The Washington Elm

  

The story of the Washington Elm is merely one of legend. It is rumored that in 1775, on the cross section of Mason and Garden streets, George Washington took command of the Continental Army and thus was one of the turning points in American history. For years to follow poets, musicians and journalists would write picturesque and dramatic psalms and stories about the events on that day. Although there is no merit to these accounts, they created a hero-like quality for George Washington that has persisted until today. 

The elm tree became a symbol of Cambridge when it was added to the city seal in 1846 by Edward Everette, a politician of the time. Unfortunately, the original tree was struck down in a lightning storm in 1923 but sections of the tree were preserved and shipped to museums and government buildings all around the country. We love to memorialize things in the United States, even stories with questionable truth! Now a granite stone is placed where the original tree was and people continue to visit the historical site for a glimpse into America’s history. 




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