Candy Hayes delivered an opening speech to attendees at the dedication.

Text and Photos
By Libby Hubbard
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — The Manitou Chapter, Inc. of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, or DAR, held a ceremonial dedication of a “Liberty Tree” on Saturday, July 5, at the Mill Creek Round Barn Golf Course in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The white pine, planted in December 2024, serves as a living memorial recognizing America’s founding and was funded by a grant from the National DAR and a matching donation from the Rochester Park Board.

The ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Trent Odell and chapter member Candy Hayes, who highlighted the symbolic importance of the eastern white pine during the Revolutionary War.

“The white pine stood for peace and independence,” Hayes said, referencing its historic role as a catalyst in early colonial resistance to British rule.

The tree dedication is part of a nationwide DAR initiative encouraging communities to plant Liberty Trees in celebration of the America 250 commemoration.

Mayor Trent Odell delivered an in-depth history of the White Pine Tree, explaining its historic significance on Independence Day.

Hayes noted that the project marks the beginning of Fulton County’s contribution to the national celebration, which culminates on July 4, 2026.

The ceremony also honored two Revolutionary War patriots buried in Fulton County, John Johnson and Samuel Lane.

Johnson served in several key battles in Virginia and is buried in Shelton Cemetery.

Lane, who moved to Akron in the 1840s, is buried in the town’s Old Citizens’ Cemetery.

Though Lane has no confirmed DAR descendants, Johnson has at least nine documented through the organization.

Park Board member Kim Landis and other city officials spoke about the collaboration behind the project, which included support from local greenhouse Rose’s Garden Center.

Poet and DAR member Sue Johnson, of the Mary Penrose Chapter in Fort Wayne, shared Thomas Paine’s “Liberty Tree” poem during the event, and U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-2) sent a letter of recognition thanking the chapter for honoring the nation’s founding.

Guests received keepsakes, including printed copies of the Declaration of Independence and hand-crafted pine cone mementos. A reception followed at the pavilion.

Marcella Phillips, the chapter’s project coordinator, described the years-long effort to bring the Liberty Tree dedication to life and encouraged attendees to research their ancestry.

“If you were born here, there may be a patriot in your family,” Phillips noted.

The Manitou Chapter, founded in 1908 and incorporated in 2024, continues to seek new members with proven lineage to Revolutionary War patriots.

The DAR’s mission includes education, historic preservation and patriotism.