As part of Suffield’s America 250 celebration, the Suffield Tree Committee planted a native red oak on the lawn between Kent Memorial Library and the town’s Veterans Memorial this April. The planting pays tribute to the original Liberty Tree in Boston, a historic gathering place during the early days of the American Revolution where colonists shared ideas and organized in pursuit of independence. The selected location thoughtfully reflects those same ideals of community, reflection, and civic engagement.
Three Suffield Public Schools students provided engaging historical context about the significance of the original Liberty Tree. First Selectman Colin Moll presented a proclamation on behalf of the town, while State Representative Tami Zawistowski presented an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Attendees were also offered scarlet oak saplings, generously provided by Bartlett Tree Experts, to plant in their own yards as a living commemoration. With participation spanning all ages, the event was both inspiring and meaningful—a fitting tribute to the enduring American spirit. The student speeches and names are included below.
Photo by Ariel Gragnolati
First Selectman Colin Moll, Sue Mayne, sophomore Lana Millette-Fanous, eighth-grade student Riley Dougherty, senior Nayan Tummalapally and State Representative Tami Zawistowski
Liberty Tree Speech
Dr. Laura Norbut: Good afternoon. On behalf of Suffield Public Schools, we are grateful to the Suffield Tree Committee for the invitation to speak at this historic occasion. It is a privilege to be here alongside our distinguished guests, including First Selectman Moll, State Representative Zawistowski, Superintendent Dunbar, and members of the Suffield community. I am joined today by three outstanding student leaders: senior Nayan Tummalapally, sophomore Lana Millette-Fanous and eighth-grade student Riley Dougherty. They are here to share the significance of the Liberty Tree and Suffield’s revolutionary history. I invite Nayan, Lana, and Riley to share their remarks.
Nayan: This July, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—a monumental milestone that defined our nation’s pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Two hundred and fifty years ago, as the American colonies moved toward independence, the struggle extended far beyond major metropolitan areas like Boston or Philadelphia. It was unfolding on the very ground we stand on.
Riley: To understand that struggle, we look to the ‘Liberty Tree’—a great elm in Boston that became a beacon of resistance in the 1760s. It was a sacred space where the Sons of Liberty gathered to protest the Stamp Act, post public notices, and share news of the fight against oppression. The British grew to hate that tree so much that during the Siege of Boston in 1775, they chopped it down and burned it for firewood. They believed that by destroying the wood, they could extinguish the spirit of liberty. But they were wrong. That spirit had already traveled up the Connecticut River to our community. Suffield was no quiet farming village; it was a town of deep, patriotic convictions.
Lana: In the years leading up to 1776, Suffield was a town of action. In fact, our town passed the Suffield Resolves—our own Declaration of Independence—nearly two years before Thomas Jefferson penned the famous document in Philadelphia.
When the Lexington Alarm sounded in April 1775, Suffield didn’t hesitate. Over 100 men from this town immediately took up their muskets and began the march toward Massachusetts. They left behind their farms and families, driven by the ideals the Liberty Tree represented: the right to self-determination and the strength of a united community. Suffield became a vital link for the Continental Army, providing the salt, grain, and blankets necessary to keep the revolution alive.
Nayan: The symbolic legacy of the Liberty Tree remains visible in the character of our town today. Every time we walk past the historic homes on Main Street or gather on the Green, we are passing through a landscape shaped by those who stood for independence 250 years ago. Some of the descendants of Suffield’s Revolutionary generation still call this community home. We are proudly still linked to 1776.
Riley: The planting of this new Liberty Tree serves as a living monument to the farmers, the tradespeople and the families of this town who, in 1776, risked their lives and livelihoods for the birth of a new nation.
Lana: As we mark this 250th anniversary, we recognize that the Liberty Tree is more than a historical icon. It is a reminder that the American story is a local story. It is a Suffield story. Thank you.
250 years from now, people will look back at the significant historical events that this tree has witnessed.