DAR Pathway of the Patriots Tree Planting

Delegates to the 127^th Continental Congress enthusiastically endorsed the DAR Pathway of the Patriots as another meaningful gift to the nation in preparation for our Nation’s Semiquincentennial celebration in 2026. This project affords DAR members, chapters, state societies and the public the opportunity to honor the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence by adopting a tree in memory of a Patriot along a 25 mile path beside the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania from Bartram’s Garden to Valley Forge.  Each of the 250 trees along the Pathway will honor a specific Patriot of the donor’s choosing, subject to approval by NSDAR. 

The DAR has partnered with USA 250, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) and Bartram’s Garden for the Pathway project. 

As the men made their way down to the river’s edge, they were seemingly unconcerned with order or layout.  Beauty was all around them and they were above all relieved to be freed from the heat, frustration and locked doors of the State House.  They reveled in inspecting plants they had never seen before and took a particular pleasure in the exquisite white flowers of Franklinia alatamaha, a small tree that William [Bartram] had recently named after Benjamin Franklin. The Franklin tree was the rarest of all American plants in the garden, because it could be found only in one particular location in Georgia. The tree was such a horticultural wonder that botanists pilgrimaged to Philadelphia to see it.  Only the British were awkward about the discovery, preferring the name Gordonia pubescens and refusing   Franklinia alatamaha – which was probably not surprising, given Franklin’s role in the American Revolution.

We have enjoyed working closely with our partners, including Glen Abrams of PHS who has served as the project manager. Glen remarked how much he loves this project – despite the fact he was born in England, raised in Canada and is now a U.S. citizen.  I can’t wait to share with Glen that Bobbi McMullen, Pennsylvania Honorary State Regent, discovered military and patriotic service for William Bartram.  Perhaps the Garden would consider honoring William’s service with one of the trees.

Thank you to all the Daughters who have enthusiastically supported this project.  The next trees will be planted in the spring and PHS will select the best variety of nursery grown trees to be planted in 13 groves along the Schuylkill River Trail. DAR looks forward to developing a robust educational component to share the biographies of each of these 250 Patriots. As there are fewer than 80 trees left available for purchase, please do not delay if you wish to support this project.  Please visit the Committee website at www.DAR.org/pathway to learn more.