"Transplanted from a box in the garden, thirteen plants of the horse-chestnut into the shrubberies by the garden walls" - April 2nd 1788
                                                          ~ diary of George Washington

I am proud to offer a piece of American history from one of our founding fathers, and our first President of the United States.

I am proud to offer a piece of American history from one of our founding fathers, George Washington!

On April 2, 1788, George Washington planted 13 horse-chestnut trees on Fauguire Street, in what is now downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia.  He planted these trees to represent each of the thirteen original colonies, and to provide shade for his mother (Mary) and sister (Betty) as they walked between their homes. 

By the early 1900s only five trees remained.  By 1926, there was one remaining tree, and was in jeopardy due to its age.  Thanks to the Kenmore Association, extensive work was performed including treating the branches, removing decay from the trunk, and replacing the empty cavity with nearly two tons of concrete.  This preservation gave this historic tree another 78 years.  Unfortunately, in 2004 at the age of 216, the last Horse-Chestnut tree needed to be taken down.

This is, truly, “witness" wood—the tree was planted by our first president.

Every order includes the pen, certificate of authenticity, and pen display box.