On Saturday, November 15, 2025, the Jockey Hollow Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) dedicated a new Liberty Tree at Burnham Park in Morristown, marking the first officially sanctioned Liberty Tree dedication by the New Jersey Society SAR (NJSSAR).
In Revolutionary America, Liberty Trees were prominent community gathering places where Patriots rallied against British oppression, posted declarations, held public meetings, and organized resistance—becoming enduring symbols of the fight for freedom.
The SAR America 250 Liberty Tree Program, launched nationally to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, invites SAR chapters to plant new Liberty Trees at significant public sites to honor these historic symbols and inspire patriotic education for future generations.
The ceremony drew strong community support and featured distinguished speakers, patriotic pageantry, and collaboration across numerous organizations. Guest speakers included:
- Chris Sands, President, New Jersey Society SAR
- Kristin Ace, Chair, Morristown Shade Tree Commission
- Siva Jonnada, Morris Township Committeeman and Burnham Park Association member
- Sarah Neibart, Chair, Morris County America 250 Committee and Mayor of Mendham Township
- New Jersey State Senator Anthony M. Bucco (District 25)
- Morristown Councilman Chris Russo, representing Mayor Tim Dougherty
Patriotic pageantry was provided by the NJSSAR Color Guard and the Colonial Musketeers Senior Fife and Drum Corps. Pat Sanftner, Chair of the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution America 250 Committee, performed “God Bless America.”
The Jockey Hollow Chapter also received a Legislative Citation from New Jersey’s 21st Legislative District, signed by Senator Jon Bramnick and Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikoudis.
Representatives in Attendance
- Sons of the American Revolution: New Jersey State Society, SAR; Colonel John Rosenkrans Chapter, SAR; Monmouth Chapter, SAR; and West Fields Chapter, SAR
- Daughters of the American Revolution: New Jersey State Society DAR (with multiple state officers present); Continental Chapter, DAR; Ferro Monte Chapter, DAR; General Frelinghuysen–Colonel Lowry Chapter, DAR; and the Morristown Chapter, DAR
- Organizations with Member Representation: New Jersey Community Forestry Council (to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection), Morris County Historical Society, Morristown Partnership, and the Washington Association of New Jersey
“This Liberty Tree will stand as a living link between Morristown’s Revolutionary past and our future generations,” said Jeff La Marca, President of the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR.
This broad participation highlighted the shared commitment of these civic, veterans, patriotic, and community organizations to preserving America’s Revolutionary heritage as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial. The new Liberty Tree will serve as a lasting symbol of unity and remembrance in Morristown.
Additional information about our Liberty Tree Dedication (along with pictures) have been reported elsewhere; these include an article on MorristownGreen.com, “Morristown commemorates Revolutionary sacrifice with new liberty tree in Burnham Park,” as well as a very gracious post on social media by New Jersey State Senator, Anthony M. Bucco.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, is a nonprofit lineage organization, covering Morris, Somerset, and parts of Hunterdon Counties, dedicated to preserving the memory of the American Revolution through education, historic preservation, and patriotic outreach.
