Chinatown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Liberty Tree Plaza

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 18, 2026

1. Liberty Tree Plaza Marker

May need to zoom in and scroll down to read inscription.
The subtlety of this inscription may be inadvertent or
may be designed to discourage vandalism.

Inscription.
Liberty Tree Plaza commemorates the public space where ordinary people gathered to bring about extraordinary change. Across Washington Street stood the stately elm that was known between 1765 and 1775 as "Liberty Tree". It served as a rallying point for colonists protesting the British-imposed Stamp Act in 1765 and became an important symbol of their cause. These “Sons of Liberty” began the struggle that led to the Revolutionary War and American independence.

Erected by Massachusetts DCR.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 42° 21.138′ N, 71° 3.764′ W. Memorial is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Chinatown. It is on Boylston Street near Washington Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this memorial is in Massachusetts’ Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Liberty Tree Block (a few steps from this marker); Boston Young Men's Christian Union (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Union (about 300 feet away); John Quincy Adams (about 400 feet away); Emerson Majestic Theatre (about 600 feet away); Ping On Alley (about 700 feet away); Colonial Theatre (about 700 feet away); Theater in Boston (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Also see . . .
1. Liberty Tree - Wikipedia.

The Liberty Tree (1646–1775) was a famous elm tree that stood in Boston, Massachusetts, near the Boston Common in the years before the American Revolution. In 1765, Patriots in Boston staged the first act of defiance
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 18, 2026

2. Liberty Tree Plaza Marker (wide)
The writing on the top face of the marker can't be seen from this distance. A bas relief Liberty Tree is visible on the third floor across Washington Street on "Liberty Tree Block" near where the original Liberty Tree stood. Pedestrians enter and exit the Chinatown commuter rail entrance below.
against the British government at the tree. The tree became a rallying point for the growing resistance to the rule of Britain over the American colonies, and the ground surrounding it became known as Liberty Hall. The Liberty Tree was felled in August 1775 by Loyalists led by Nathaniel Coffin Jr. or by Job Williams.

(Submitted on August 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

2. The Day the Liberty Tree Got Its Name.

On the Body of the largest Tree was fixed with large deck of nails, that it might last, a Copper-Plate with these Words Stamped thereon, in Golden Letters, THE TREE OF LIBERTY, August 14. 1765.

(Submitted on August 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

3. Liberty! - The Stamp Tax Crisis of 1765 - Commonwealth Museum. <blockquote>At Boston Neck, the one road into town, visitors were stopped in a playful manner to check for stamps. Soon an effigy of stamp agent Andrew Oliver was hung from the branches of the Elm tree near Chase and Speakman’s Distillery.... ...Later in the evening a rougher crowd gathered, cut down the effigies and paraded them past the Town House.

Liberty Tree Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 18, 2026

3. Liberty Tree Plaza

Liberty Tree Plaza is a small triangular park with a monument and plantings at the corner of Washington and Essex/Boylston Streets. The tree behind the surveillance camera is an elm tree, similar to the Liberty Tree.

They beheaded the effigy of Andrew Oliver, demolished a building thought to be the potential stamp office, and vandalized Oliver’s home. Oliver resigned as stamp agent the next morning. (Submitted on August 19, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

Liberty Tree Plaza Marker (obverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 18, 2026

4. Liberty Tree Plaza Marker (obverse)

The tall young elm tree (center) planted at Liberty Tree Plaza shades the area along with other trees.

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 18, 2026

5. Liberty Tree Plaza Marker

A descriptive plaque at the base of the Accolade Elm tree planted at Liberty Tree Plaza (visible in photo 4).

Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, August 18, 2026

6. Liberty Tree Plaza Marker

The Liberty Tree Plaza surveillance camera contributes to the safety & security. Posted: No rights on Washington Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 18, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.