Washington Elm

Washington Elm was an elm tree that stood for over 200 years on Cambridge Common near Harvard Yard before falling in 1923. Today a commemorative plaque marks the original spot, and a replacement tree planted in 1925 remains protected by a metal fence.

The tree gained its name from a legend claiming George Washington assumed command there in 1775, though this remains historically unverified. During the American Civil War, residents gathered beneath its branches to discuss the approaching conflict.

After the original tree fell in 1923, thousands of pieces were distributed to institutions across the nation, where they remain as symbols of shared history. This dispersal transformed what was a local landmark into a distributed connection linking communities together.

The current tree stands on Cambridge Common near Massachusetts Avenue and is easily found when visiting the plaza. Take time to read the plaque beside the tree to learn more about its history and the original location.

Many visitors don't know that Vice President Charles Dawes personally planted the replacement tree in 1925, making this a rare example of high-level government involvement in a local memorial. This ceremony symbolically linked the new tree to official recognition of the site's importance.