GJB Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution
​Bloomington-Normal, Illinois

GJBSAR LIBERTY TREE PROJECT

GJBSAR Liberty Tree

​The Princeton Elm Liberty Tree was planted for us by the Normal Parks & Recreation crew.  It is a beautiful tree!  It is located near the flagpole and across the Constitution Trail from the water feature area with a sign about the Constitution/Bill of Rights, a most fitting place for the GJB Liberty Tree. Current and future generations of local citizens will pass by, take note of the spreading branches, enjoy the cool shade on a warm summer evening event at Connie Link Amphitheater,  and perhaps learn a bit about the founding of our great Nation. Official dedication of the GJB tree is scheduled for October as part of the GJBSAR chapter's 50th anniversary celebration.  The GJB Liberty Tree project is headed by patriot Dale Simpson. Our thanks and gratitude to the Normal Parks and Recreation department for their assistance with this project!  
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Click the image for more details. The red dot is where the Liberty Tree is located.
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The original Liberty Tree was a large elm tree located near the Boston Common at the modern day intersection of Washington Street and Essex Street. It was planted in 1646 and was nearly 120 years old by the time of the American Revolution. The area under its branches became a popular meeting place of Boston citizens in the 1760s as it was on a main artery into and out of the town. The Sons of Liberty, a secret society of men who advocated for the rights of colonists, would meet at the tree and stage protests to British taxation and rule. Visit The Boston Liberty Tree on the American Battlefields site for more history.
Oct 25, 10:30 am ● Liberty Tree Dedication, Constitution Trail in Normal IL. View the program from the Dedication.
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The 250th SAR Liberty Tree Program

The 250th SAR Liberty Tree Program was rolled out at the Spring 2023 with the goal of planting 250 Liberty Trees for the 250th Anniversary with at least one tree in each state on or before July 4, 2026. As of June 2025, over 140 trees have been planted across the Nation for this project. The GJBSAR chapter has planted a Liberty Tree (Princeton Elm) near the Connie Link Amphitheatre on the Constitution Trail in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
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The official dedication of the Liberty Tree took place 25 October 2025 with attendees and ceremony participants from the GJBSAR membership, leadership from the Illinois and national SAR organizations, Town of of Normal representative, and more.
​Click on any photo to see an enlarged, full image.
​See the full program from the event.

Views around the GJB Liberty Tree on Constitution Trail, Normal, Illinois. Click on any image to enlarge.  The center image shows Dale Simpson,
GJBSAR patriot & lead person in the local Liberty Tree project at the site with newly planted tree
near the ​Connie Amphitheater in Normal, Illinois
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