Hannah Cole

Hannah Cole Chapter, NSDAR
A project, nearly a decade in the making came to fruition this summer, as the Hannah Cole Chapter, NSDAR, dedicated the Liberty Grove at Walnut Grove Cemetery. As part of the Semiquincentennial celebration of the United States, the chapter had a grove of 13 maple trees planted at Walnut Grove Cemetery, in Boonville representing the 13 original colonies. The project was based on the NSDAR project to plant 76 trees for an America 250 project and conceived of by former Chapter Regents Dr. Maryellen McVicker and Norma Johnson. The name Liberty Grove was inspired by the original liberty Tree in Boston which became one of the symbols of the revolution. The trees were planted in 2019 to allow them to grow for several years and have a more magisterial presence for their dedication. The original Liberty Tree where the Sons of Liberty gathered was an Elm tree, however the chapter chose Maple trees to match what is in place at the cemetery as well for their beautiful foliage in the fall.
A marker was placed within the grove honoring Revolutionary War Veterans and celebrating 250 years of U.S. Independence.