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Washington Elm

On July 3, 1775, George Washington officially took command of the Continental Army at ceremonies taking place beneath this Elm tree, which stood at the edge of the training grounds used by the troops. While this tale may be a myth, clearly the tree has remained a symbol of patriotism in Cambridge for generations. The tree finally succumbed to old age and disease in 1923, and today a small bronze plaque marks this historical spot.

Getting there
Cambridge Common at Mason St
Hours
24 hours daily
Price
Free

Listing from Wikivoyage: Cambridge (Massachusetts), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.