In the heart of Sheridan, Wyoming, a living piece of American history stands quietly beside the city’s bustling streets. The tree, a direct descendant of the legendary George Washington Elm that once shaded the future commander‑in‑chief in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was gifted to the nation in 1932 and took root in Wyoming that same year.
From Cambridge to the High Plains
The original Washington Elm, planted in the mid‑1700s, became a symbol of the nation’s founding spirit. Legend holds that Washington took command of the Continental Army beneath its branches on July 3, 1775. After the tree fell in 1923, Alice Dorsey of Maryland, who had cultivated seedlings from its seeds, decided to share the legacy with the country. Her hope was to commemorate the bicentennial of Washington’s birth, and she sent dozens of saplings across the United States.
Sheridan’s Historic Sapling
One of those saplings arrived in Sheridan in 1932 and was planted on the grounds of what is now known as The Hub, a community gathering space. Over the decades the tree has grown to a respectable height, its branches offering shade to passersby and a tangible link to the nation’s early days.
“It’s a reminder that our small town is part of a larger American story,” said Susan Ottema, Vice Regent of the Sheridan Chapter of the Wyoming Daughters of the American Revolution. Ottema spoke at a recent event hosted at The Hub, emphasizing the tree’s role in fostering local pride and historical awareness.
Preservation Efforts
Concerned citizens and local historians have noted signs of age‑related stress in the elm, prompting a coordinated preservation plan. The effort includes a professional arborist’s assessment, soil health testing, and a protective fence similar to the one erected around the original Cambridge tree in 1875.
Funding for the project is being sourced through community donations, a grant from the Wyoming State Historical Society, and a modest contribution from the city’s Parks and Recreation budget. Volunteers have already begun a pruning schedule designed to remove deadwood while preserving the tree’s historic form.
Community Involvement
The preservation initiative has become a rallying point for local schools, churches, and civic groups. Students from Sheridan High School are preparing a research project on the tree’s lineage, while the local church choir plans a hymn‑singing ceremony to celebrate the tree’s resilience.
“Our faith teaches us to honor the past while caring for God’s creation,” said Pastor Mark Jensen of First Baptist Church, who will lead the upcoming ceremony. The event will feature a brief history of the Washington Elm, a prayer for the tree’s continued health, and a call for ongoing stewardship.
Looking Ahead
Organizers hope the preservation work will ensure that future generations can stand beneath the same living symbol that once shaded the nation’s first commander. The project also serves as a reminder that even in remote corners of Wyoming, the legacy of the nation’s founding can thrive.
Residents are invited to attend a public meeting on November 15 at The Hub to learn more about the preservation plan and to sign up as volunteers. The meeting will feature a presentation by the appointed arborist and a Q&A session with local officials.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
