HS Nuveau Spectre Washington Elm
- HS Nuveau Spectre Washington Elm Ballpoint
- Gun Metal and 22K Twist Ballpoint
- Constructed from Witness Wood® acquired by History Salvaged from a piece of the Washington Elm, fellled in 1923.
- Featured in an heirloom piece of functional art.
- Only 3 avaiable
- Engraved: Washington Elm
- Made in the USA
- Each pen is individually handcrafted and therefore may vary in look and feel
In 1923, the tree was very fragile and diseased. Workers from the parks department of Cambridge were cutting two of the remaining limbs. Upon cutting the second limb, the entire tree fell over onto its iron fence and brought the Boston Elevated Railway cable to within 15 feet (4.57 m) of the ground. The tree was divided up into approximately 1000 pieces, and these were distributed to all states and their legislatures. The cross-section of the tree was sent to Mt. Vernon. About 150 pieces were given over-the-counter, a few hundred were mailed throughout the country, and some Fraternal Organizations received pieces as well. Root shoots were sent to locations throughout the nation, and some of them still thrive today.
Today, a plaque embedded in the pavement of Garden Street (at its Mason St. intersection) marks where the tree used to stand. The Cambridge Historical Commission (CHC) has stated that "the image of the tree remains a symbol of patriotism in Cambridge."
