Newburgh in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Liberty Tree

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 29, 2024

1. Liberty Tree Marker

Inscription. In 1765, outraged colonists on Boston Commons protested British government policies underneath a tree, which became known as the Liberty Tree. Soon after, other colonies designated their own “liberty trees,” using them as meeting places or to signal to other patriots. As important symbols of rebellion, many of these trees were destroyed by British soldiers. The longest surviving of these was a 400-year old tulip poplar in Maryland that was removed after hurricane damage. The tree that stands before you was grown from the seeds of that tree.

[Inset] The crowd that gathered in Boston under the first Liberty Tree hung effigies of those they considered responsible for the Stamp Act. This and other early public acts of defiance culminated in the War for Independence.
[Caption]The Colonists Under Liberty Tree from Cassell's Illustrated History of England, Volume 5, 1865.

Erected by Palisades Interstate Park Commission • New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary.

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In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1765.

Location. 41° 29.886′ N, 74° 0.572′ W. Marker is in Newburgh, New York, in Orange County. It can be reached from Liberty Street north of Lafayette Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 84 Liberty St, Newburgh NY 12550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Hudson Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Uzal Knapp Gravesite (within shouting distance of this marker); Tower of Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); Uzal Knapp (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 29, 2024

2. Liberty Tree Marker

George Washington Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); The Disbandment of the Armies (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington’s Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Minuteman (within shouting distance of this marker); Minuteman Statue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newburgh.

Regarding Liberty Tree. The New York Liberty Tree was one of 13 saplings, one in each of the original colonies, planted by the conservation group American Forests. It was planted in November, 2008.

Also see . . . Legacy of the Liberty Tree: Where Is It Now in Present-Day Boston?. The tree that would one day be known as the “Liberty Tree” by 18th century colonists was planted around the year 1646 on Orange Street as part of an elm grove. Its location near Boston neck would have made the elm unmissable to everyone entering or leaving Boston. (Emily Yurkus, Revolutionary Spaces) (Submitted on October 26, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.