The Washington Elm, Cambridge 1889

This is Henry Brooks’ photograph of “The Washington Elm, Cambridge." The tree, a local landmark, became legendary as the site where George Washington supposedly took command of the Continental Army in 1775. Consider how the symbolism of the Elm intersects with narratives of American identity. How do such symbols promote a very specific, often exclusionary, version of history? Why an Elm and not another tree? Why Washington and not another leader? How does it feel to look at an image, knowing that its claim to fame is highly debated? The photograph asks us to consider how history is constructed and memorialized, often obscuring more complex and inclusive narratives. It also becomes a poignant reminder of how symbols, like trees, can be deeply intertwined with identity, memory, and the stories a nation tells itself.