Guitar, Liberty Tree Grand Theater Model, No. 194

Guitar, Liberty Tree Grand Theater Model, No. 194, Taylor Guitars, 2002, El Cajon, CA, National Music Museum
Maker Taylor Guitars
Date of Creation 2002
Location El Cajon, California
Materials Tulip poplar, Sitka spruce, mahogany, ebony, bone, abalone, mother-of-pearl, synthetic ivory
Institution National Music Museum
Credit Line Lynn & Steve Dillon Collection, 2021
Accession Number NMM 15565
Photo Credit National Music Museum/Byron Pillow

Large trees were common meeting places in 18th-century America. An elm in Boston became the location of planned rebellion over the Stamp Act of 1765. The tree was also a site of celebration following the repeal of the act in the following year. Trees in other towns came to be named Liberty Trees after the original, and Liberty Trees also became a symbol of the French Revolution. A tulip poplar on the site of St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, was one of these trees. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd caused catastrophic damage to this tree, and it had to be removed, after an estimated 400 years of life. Taylor Guitars purchased 80,000 pounds of wood from this tree and used it to make the backs and sides of 400 LTG Liberty Tree guitars. After those sold out, remaining wood was used for 400 Baby Liberty 3/4-size guitars.