The Washington Elm

The Washington Elm was one of the most well known landmarks in Cambridge. Although the enormous elm tree is not longer standing, a plaque embedded in the street commemorates its importance in Cambridge history.

After the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 thousands of New England militiamen marched to Cambridge to be involved in the war against the British. Soon, Cambridge became the headquarters of the American Army. Fighting escalated for the American troops with the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, and by this time it was clear that the American Army needed a General. The Continental Congress voted that the Virginia delegate, George Washington, take command of the army in Cambridge.

By July Washington had arrived in Cambridge prepared to take command. The tradition states that on July 3, 1775 General George Washington stood beneath an enormous elm tree on Cambridge Common and took command of the American Army. Since that day the tree was called The Washington Elm.

Although it is not certain that Washington actually stood under The Washington Elm to take command of the Army, the tree became very important in Cambridge, symbolizing their role in The Revolutionary War. In the years after the war a plaque was placed by the tree stating that, that was the spot where Washington took command of the American Army. On the centennial celebration of Washington taking command of the American Army, the tree was decorated in red, white, and blue, along with many other Revolutionary War landmarks, to commemorate one hundred years since this momentous occasion.

As time passed the significance of the tree grew as it became one of the oldest and largest trees in Cambridge. With its age, it required great care. In 1923 when two dead limbs were being removed, the entire tree fell down. The Washington Elm had gained so much significance since the Revolutionary War that it was cut up into little pieces and sent all over the country, still commemorating Washington taking command of the American Army underneath it. Today, a plaque in the ground commemorates where the tree used to stand and its importance to Cambridge. Although it is questionable as to if Washington actually took command of the American Army underneath the Washington Elm, it is still tremendously significance to Revolutionary Cambridge. 

 

Washington Elm Today

Tree Planted with seeds of the Washington Elm Tree Planted with seeds of Washington Elm Marker for the Bicentennial
Washington Elm Marker Washington taking Command of the Army Memorial Washington Taking Command of the Army Memorial Washington's Orders

 

Washington Elm Objects

Washington Elm China Washington Elm China Washington Elm China

Washington Elm China Washington Elm China Washington Elm China Piece of Washington Elm

 

Interactive Map Back to Interactive Map