On February 26, 1779, General Israel Putnam narrowly evaded capture by British troops when he escaped down a steep and rocky hill.
This site, located near present-day Greenwich High School and overlooking Putnam Avenue, has since been named Putnam Hill Park in honor of this exploit.
On this year’s anniversary of General Putnam’s escape, the Greenwich Tree Conservancy joined the Town of Greenwich and the local branch of the Sons of the American Revolution to plant a Liberty Tree in this historic park.
Putnam Hill Park overlooks Putnam Avenue
The original Liberty Tree was an American elm that stood near the Boston Common. After Bostonians hung an effigy of the local Stamp Tax collector from its branches in 1765, it became a symbol of defiance and rallying point for revolutionaries looking to resist British rule.
The Liberty Tree was cut down in 1775 in retaliation by British soldiers, but its legacy remained. The Liberty Tree Project aims to bring this legacy to communities around the country, with a goal of planting 250 new Liberty Trees prior to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution on July 4, 2026.
Kate Dzikiewicz Executive Director of the GTC dedicates tree
Greenwich’s new Liberty Tree is the 123rd planted as part of this initiative. Dutch Elm Disease (DED) decimated American elms after its accidental introduction in the 1930s, but disease-resistant elm varieties are allowing this important species to make a comeback.
The Liberty Tree planted this week is a Jefferson elm, a variety descended from American elms growing on the National Mall that proved to have a high level of resistance to DED.
Trees are often appreciated for their aesthetic appeal or environmental benefits, but this project demonstrates that they also have an important place in history. Elm trees can live to be several hundred years old, and this tree will serve as a living reminder to future generations of Greenwich’s storied past and the value in remembering it.
David Wold discusses Putnam Hill Park history.
Putnam Hill Park Plaque