The well-known and much-loved purple beech tree, planted on the common in 1892, was taken down in November 2012. Present on that day was local photographer Steve Hardwood, who chronicled the process of bringing the tree down.

He donated his series of photographs to the library, to commemorate the event and the life of the tree. Steve’s photographs were supplemented by additional photos from the collections of Fred Merriam and the Chelmsford Historical Society, and Library staff also researched news articles about the tree.

This entire collection was then framed and hung in the Group Study Room, on the lower level of the Library, near the Library’s other historical resources. Please check out this tribute the next time you’re in the Library.

The Library would like to thank Steve Hardwood for getting the ball rolling, and also Fred Merriam and the Chelmsford Historical Society for contributing to the project. The generosity of community members like this helps preserve Chelmsford for future generations.