A FRAGMENT OF THE 'WASHINGTON ELM.' Wooden fragment with bronze plaque affixed reading: 'A piece...

A FRAGMENT OF THE 'WASHINGTON ELM.' Wooden fragment with bronze plaque affixed reading: 'A piece of the elm tree formerly standing in Cambridge, Massachusetts under which George Washington took command of the American Army July 3, 1775 / Presented by The City of Cambridge 1924.' 2 ½ x 5 ¾ x 3 in The 'Washington Elm' was located at the center of the Cambridge, MA, and after the revolution was marked with a sign announcing that 'Under this tree Washington first took command of the American Army July 3rd 1775.' Even as the city grew up around it, the tree held an important place in civic life, especially during the Civil War. Then, in 1923, while arborists were trimming it in the hope of prolonging its life, the tree collapsed. The city of Cambridge decided to disperse the trunk into about 1000 pieces, giving one to every state governor and a large chunk to Mount Vernon. The present example is one of the authorized samples distributed by the city. Today, most historians agree that there was likely never a grand ceremony beneath the elm to install Washington as leader, though he did arrive in Cambridge on July 2, 1775, and seems to have spent the 3rd inspecting and introducing himself to smaller groups of troops. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing