Maryland Liberty Tree Project Celebration
Visit Mt. Olivet Cemetery on June 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. for a regional celebration of the Maryland Liberty Tree Project as a part of Flag Day programming.
Liberty Trees are being planted within heritage areas across every jurisdiction, including each Maryland county and the City of Baltimore. A statewide partnership is sponsoring the project, including Preservation Maryland, the Maryland Center for History and Culture, the Department of Natural Resources – Maryland Forest Service, the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area (SMNHA), the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition (MHAC), and the Maryland250 Commission.
A Liberty Tree planted at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, near the Francis Scott Key monument and gravesite, will be dedicated in a 2 p.m. ceremony featuring remarks by Chris Haugh, Mt. Olivet Cemetery Community Relations and Historic Preservation Manager and Frederick County US Semiquincentennial Commission co-chairs, Shuan Butcher and Ysela Bravo. Mr. Butcher also represents the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area as a past president and Director Emeritus. Selections by Monocacy Field Music, a period music ensemble, will be part of the celebration.
Following the Liberty Tree dedication, Friends of Mt. Olivet Cemetery will present the 6th annual Flag Day Author’s Talk, featuring Dottie Olson and her new book entitled, Frederick’s Other City: Revolutionary Patriots of Mount Olivet Cemetery. A book signing and reception will follow.
All aspects of the event are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. However, in the case of inclement weather the programs will be offered in Key Memorial Chapel.
The day and location are apt choices for the event, as the resting place of Francis Scott Key, who was inspired by the flag to author the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814. Flag Day is also the start of Civic Season, which continues through Juneteenth on June 19, and wraps up on July 4, 2026. Civic Season is a time to reflect on American history, engage with local communities, and participate in active citizenship.
