Independence National Historical Park Tree Planting Ceremony

On November 7, 2017, the National Park Service hosted a ceremonial tree planting at Independence National Historical Park behind Independence Hall in Philadelphia. As a gift to the nation, the Daughters of the American Revolution donated $380,000 to sponsor the planting and ongoing maintenance of 76 trees at the park which will include a variety of species, all historically accurate to 18^th century Philadelphia. While the first of the trees will be planted in the park directly behind Independence Hall, others will be scattered throughout the 55 acres of the park, planted over the course of several years, anticipating a mature canopy in time for the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026. Learn more here: www.dar.org/NPSTreeDonation

On November 7, 2017, the Daughters of the American Revolution joined with the National Park Service at Independence National Historical Park for a tree planting ceremony to celebrate DAR’s gift of 76 trees in celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial. Ceremony speakers included a Thomas Jefferson reenactor, DAR First Vice President General Denise Doring VanBuren, Independence National Historical Park Acting Superintendent Patrick Suddath and USA250 Board Chair Andrew Hohns.

The ceremony took place at the site of the planting of the first of the 76 trees directly behind Independence Hall. Both the orange leaved tree in the forefront as well as the small yellow leaved tree in the background were the first of the DAR trees to be planted.

Acting Superintendent of Independence National Historical Park Patrick Suddath welcomed those to the tree planting ceremony, thanking DAR for the gift and joked that the rainy weather of the day would be perfect for the newly planted trees.

Multiple news outlets attended the ceremony to cover the news of the DAR’s Gift to the Nation at Independence National Historical Park.

Despite the rainy weather, quite a crowd joined for the ceremony!

USA250 Board Chair Andrew Hohns offered remarks about the United States Semiquincentennial and what this gift means for Independence National Historical Park.

Thomas Jefferson was quite the crowd pleaser as he shared some words of wisdom both from his time spent working in Independence Hall as well as his interest in arboriculture and horticulture.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla thanked the DAR on behalf of the City of Philadelphia and spoke about how this gift will help the park thrive in the future.

The sky may have been gray but the fall colors in the park were beautiful for the ceremony.

Representing the National Society at the tree planting ceremony, DAR First Vice President General Denise Doring VanBuren spoke about DAR’s previous support of Independence Hall and the surrounding park over the past 125 years.

The 76 trees to be planted will include a variety of species, all historically accurate to 18th century Philadelphia. While the first of the trees will be planted in the park directly behind Independence Hall, others will be scattered throughout the 55 acres of the park, planted over the course of several years, anticipating a mature canopy in time for the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026.

DAR First Vice President General Denise VanBuren speaking next to one of DAR’s trees in Independence National Historical Park.

DAR and the National Park Service each received a commemorative shovel with a plaque marking the occasion.

The DAR was the first to add dirt to the new tree’s roots. As First Vice President General Denise VanBuren remarked at the ceremony: “The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is so very grateful for this opportunity to plant modern-day Liberty Trees that will take root and flourish by 2026. We know that like our nation, they will weather storms, survive droughts, and reach forever upward; like our people, they will branch out and grow stronger with the passage of time; and like our hard

Thomas Jefferson also got in on the action!

Special guests at the ceremonial tree planting stand in the shadow of historic Independence Hall with the newest addition to the park.

Mark Squilla, Philadelphia City Councilmember; Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and 3rd President of the United States; Denise Doring VanBuren, DAR First Vice President General; Patrick Suddath, Acting Superintendent of Independence National Historical Park; Andrew Hohns, USA250 Board Chair – standing with one of the 76 trees DAR will sponsor in Independence National Historical Park.

It was a special moment for all involved celebrating the first major Gift to the Nation in honor of the United States Semiquincentennial.

DAR members who attended the ceremonial tree planting gather with Thomas Jefferson at Independence Hall.

DAR First Vice President General Denise VanBuren getting in one more celebratory shovel at the newest tree in Independence National Historical Park which will continue to be supported by DAR for many years to come.

National Park Service rangers assist with the final grunt work of planting the DAR tree.

DAR First Vice President General Denise VanBuren thanks Patrick Suddath, Acting Superintendent, and Gina Gillam, Deputy Superintendent (Acting) at Independence National Historical Park, for the wonderful coordination of the tree planting ceremony and for the upcoming maintenance of all of the 76 trees!

Independence Hall is the anchor of the Independence National Historical Park.

The Assembly Room, pictured here, is where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

From inside the Assembly Room in Independence Hall you can see the new DAR trees (yellow leaves and orange leaves) that were just planted and will mature as the nation celebrates 250 years since the incredible events, including the significant deliberations in this very room, which launched our nation’s independence!

The Governor’s Council Chamber on the second floor of Independence Hall was furnished with authentic 18th century pieces by DAR as a gift during the Bicentennial.

Contained in the Governor’s Council Chamber in Independence Hall is a book which recognizes the Bicentennial Gift to the Nation from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The 76 trees, some right outside this room, are a continuation of the long history of support the DAR has provided to Independence National Historical Park, the symbolic birthplace of our nation, as we launch our celebrations of the United States Semiquincentennial.