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Special Campbell Center Trees Donated to Independence Hall
A part of Mount Carroll, Illinois is making its way to a permanent home at Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia. Three tiny American chestnut seedlings, propagated from blight-resistant trees growing at the Campbell Center in Mount Carroll, are heading to Philadelphia to be planted alongside other historic American tree species. Todd Hart, historic architect from Independence National Historic Park, attended a workshop at Campbell Center this past August. In discussion with staff members, he realized that three old-growth American chestnut trees had survived the chestnut blight and are growing on the campus. One of those trees has the distinction of being listed on the "Big Tree Register" as the largest recorded American chestnut tree in Illinois. This tree is believed to be as old as the campus, which dates back to the early 1850's. It might have even been planted by Francis Shimer, founder of Frances Shimer Academy. Mr. Hart determined that Independence Hall would be a perfect location to propagate the legacy of this American icon. The American chestnut seedlings were propagated from seeds harvested last fall. The propagated year-old seedlings were examined by an inspector from the Illinois Department of Agriculture and are now on their way to Philadelphia. Additional seedlings are planted at the Campbell Center when they become available. Susan Edens, historic landscape architect at Independence National Historic Park told Sharon Welton, Campbell Center Program Director, "it is my goal to add native American tree species to the park grounds, and I look forward to receiving the chestnut seedlings." Landscape records for Independence Hall dating back to 1780 list American chestnut (Castanea dentate) as being one of the trees chosen to be planted on the grounds. The chestnut has been missing from the park landscape, perhaps since the blight was brought from Asia on nursery stock around 1900. With assistance from the office of Senator Mike Jacobs (D-36, Moline), the Campbell Center staff was able to expedite the shipping of these trees to Philadelphia. The Campbell Center is honored to have a bit of their history, and of the State of Illinois be a part of such an important site of American history. Campbell Center has spent the last 30 years teaching preservation of architecture and museum artifacts to professionals from all over the country. It seems only fitting that they can now help preserve this American icon. No one can be certain if these little seedlings will survive to maturity, but Mount Carroll can be proud to know that their town had a hand in restoring this American tree to the place where our history began. It is a very special honor.
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