Symbol of freedom installed at Liberty Park, mayor makes proclamation

JACKSON, Tenn. — A pair of local organizations team up for a dedication here in the Hub City.

The James-Madison Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Jackson-Madison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a liberty tree this morning at Liberty Park.

“It’s a wonderful thing that we do and we hope generations in the future when they walk past this tree will read that inscription and understand how important that little tree right there is to our history,” said Larry Newsom, chapter president.

This event is part of a nationwide celebration leading up to our nation’s 250th anniversary July 4, 2026.

The dedication featured a proclamation from City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger.

“Let it be a place where future generations gather to remember the past, reflect on our freedoms, and be inspired to uphold the ideals of liberty for all. Now, therefore, I, Scott Conger, mayor for the city of Jackson, Tennessee do hereby proclaim August 14, 2025 as Liberty Tree Day,” said Mayor Conger.

The original liberty tree was a Princeton American Elm at the intersection of Washington and Essex Streets in Boston, Massachusetts.

It served as a rallying point for American patriots that opposed the crown. It was chopped down by British loyalists in 1775, but the spirit of the tree remained.

After the revolution, America’s favorite fighting frenchman marquis de lafayette returned to the site of the tree, pointing out the stump and its impact on american spirit and freedom.

This tree’s first taste of Jackson’s water came out of a canteen that was first used in the American Revolution.

This liberty tree was planted as a part of the ‘America 250’ initiative to plant 250 trees before our nation’s 250th anniversary next year.

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