Liberty Tree

Much of this information comes from the Elm Research Institute and the Liberty Tree Society. We hope to see you at the dedication on March 5!


Blount Mansion has a new and important feature on site. We now have a “Liberty Tree” (an American Liberty Elm) located between the Visitors Center and the Mansion. But what is a Liberty Tree?

The City of Knoxville received a ceremonial disease-resistant American Liberty Elm, and a Liberty Tree Memorial plaque with an inscription that recounts the history of Boston's Liberty Tree, an American elm that was the rallying place for the Sons of Liberty in the American Revolution. Inspired by these Patriots whose efforts were immortalized by the original Liberty Tree, Elm Research Institute, developed the Liberty Tree Memorial to commemorate the day this famous tree was chopped down by angry Red Coats.

For more than 20 years, Elm Research Institute has been establishing Liberty Tree Memorials in communities across the country to commemorate the birth of freedom and help restore the American elm. The City of Knoxville is the site of one of 440 Liberty Tree Memorials in the country.

In order to bring this first symbol of Freedom to Americans everywhere the Institute has established the Liberty Tree Society with a four-fold mission: First to fulfill the goal of Massachusetts Governor Peabody who first declared August 14th as Liberty Tree Day in his state. The Society would like to see all 50 states recognize this day; Second to dedicate Liberty Tree Memorials in 1000 communities, Third to tell the exciting story of the Liberty Tree in classrooms across the land, Fourth to continue the “Re-Elming” of America by planting disease-resistant American Liberty Elms in public spaces nationwide.

This gift is made possible by a grant through the Liberty Tree Society sponsored by Elm Research Institute (ERI), Keene, NH. Citizens of Knoxville are invited to gather beneath the Liberty Tree to hear the “Liberty Tree” poem by Thomas Paine on March 5, 2011. Those in attendance for the planting will receive a ticket to tour Blount Mansion for free.

Elm Research Institute was established in 1967 with the purpose of saving the American elm from extinction. ERI sponsored genetic research that resulted in the American Liberty Elm, a purebred descendant of disease-resistant American elms. It is the only elm with a Lifetime Warranty against Dutch elm disease. Over 300,000 have been planted since 1984.
For information about the American Liberty Elm or the Liberty Tree Memorial program, phone Elm Research Institute at 1-800-367-3567, visit online at www.elmresearch.org or write to Elm Research Institute, 11 Kit Street, Keene, NH 03431.