Three Liberty Trees were dedicated Friday morning at Stewart Park in Ithaca as part of a community celebration marking the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The ceremony was organized by the Chief Taughannock Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) in partnership with the City of Ithaca. The event brought together elected officials, community organizations, and campers from the Ithaca Youth Bureau’s Stewart Park Day Camp to celebrate the planting of three living memorials symbolizing democracy, liberty, unity and civic engagement.
The event began with patriotic music performed by students from Opus Ithaca, a nonprofit community music school. Campers also learned about the history of Liberty Trees, which served as gathering places for colonial Americans during the years leading up to the Revolutionary War.
“We are here today in an effort to preserve not only our natural surroundings, but also the stories of our past, like those of the Liberty Trees and the important conversations that took place beneath them,” said Amy Little, Regent of the Chief Taughannock Chapter, NSDAR. “These Liberty Trees remind us of those who bravely advocated for democracy and freedom 250 years ago, and of those who continue to do the same today.”
Little also thanked City Forester Jeanne Grace and the city’s forestry team for selecting and planting the three trees—an American Sycamore, Northern Red Oak and Heritage Oak.
As part of the project, the DAR chapter donated a collection of Revolutionary War-themed books to Stewart Park’s Little Free Library. Diana Riesman, board chair of Friends of Stewart Park and executive director of the Wharton Studio Museum, thanked the organization for expanding educational opportunities for park visitors of all ages.
Grace introduced each tree species before attendees participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Congressman Josh Riley dedicated the American Sycamore, joined by his young son. Several Stewart Park Day Camp participants then helped with the remaining ribbon cuttings.
Assemblymember Anna Kelles dedicated the Northern Red Oak and presented a New York State Assembly citation recognizing the Liberty Trees as symbols of American independence and the freedoms to gather and speak openly.
Mayor Robert Cantelmo dedicated the Heritage Oak and presented a City of Ithaca proclamation recognizing the Liberty Tree project. The proclamation describes the trees as “a living tribute to American independence” and honors the role Liberty Trees played as gathering places where early Americans organized and exchanged ideas during the nation’s founding.
Organizers said the project reflects the DAR’s mission of historic preservation, education and patriotism while providing a lasting community landmark as the country prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
The Liberty Tree project was made possible through a partnership among the Chief Taughannock Chapter of the NSDAR, the City of Ithaca, Friends of Stewart Park, the Ithaca Youth Bureau, Opus Ithaca and numerous community volunteers.
The American Sycamore, Northern Red Oak and Heritage Oak will remain in Stewart Park as living reminders of the nation’s founding ideals and as symbols of democracy, liberty and civic engagement for future generations.
