The Sycamore at the Amherst Historical Society
The Story of the ‘Groom Tree’ at the Amherst History Museum
Since the mid-18th century, a sycamore tree, colloquially known as the ‘Groom Tree,’ has stood in front of the Simeon Strong House, home to the Amherst Historical Society’s Museum since 1916.
Originally, there were two trees, one on either side of the center front door. We speculate that Nehemiah Strong gave the two trees to his son Simeon at the time of his marriage to Sarah Wright on January 12, 1763. Because of their longevity, there was a custom of planting two long-lasting sycamore trees to celebrate marriages and were commonly referred to as “bride and groom” trees, a gift that expressed the wish for a long union of the couple. The Bride Tree was damaged by storms and had to be removed in 1957. The surviving tree, which towers over the center of town, has witnessed many changes and is in need of expert care to remove dead wood, reduce the weight of branch ends, as well as fertilization, and mulching.
The Groom Tree was a sapling before the Town of Amherst was chartered in 1759. Once the sapling was transplanted, it continued to grow, possibly as much as two or three feet a year, as the Massachusetts Bay Colony evolved into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. After the Revolution and Daniel Shays Rebellion in the 1780s, the tree flourished even as Amherst Academy was established in 1814 across the road to Hadley. Emily Dickinson would have seen it when she attended the school from 1840 to 1847.
The Groom Tree has provided shade for countless visitors and residents and its “buttonballs” and the bark have been a source of wonder and enjoyment for Amherst’s children for generations.
The Groom Tree and the new sycamore at the Amherst History Museum.
Preserving ancient trees is an act full of meaning.
Last year, the Town’s Department of Public Works and the Historical Society together received an Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant to sustain the Groom Tree for years to come. As part of the grant, a fund to support the ongoing care and maintenance of the tree has been established.
Help us preserve the history and stories of our community. Make a donation to help us continue to care for the Groom Tree.
Last year, the Town’s Department of Public Works and the Amherst Historical Society together received an Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grant to sustain the Groom Tree for years to come. As part of the grant project, a new sycamore tree was planted in front of the Simeon Strong House on April 28th, Arbor Day.
Planting a tree these days is an act of faith. What changes in the Town and the Earth will it witness in the coming years, decades, and centuries? What will the center of Amherst look like in 200 years? Likewise preserving ancient trees is an act full of meaning. Yes, the leaves capture their share of carbon dioxide, but the existence of the Groom Tree also recalls the history of our community and the importance of the preservation of the communal stories.
As part of the grant, a fund to support the ongoing care and maintenance tree has been established. If you wish to make a donation towards the Groom’s care, please use the form below or send a check to: AHS Groom Tree Fund, 67 Amity Street, Amherst, MA 01002.
The “Bride” tree in front of the Simeon Strong House. The tree was taken down in 1957 when it could no longer be safely maintained.