The Tree That Saved Connecticut

"The Tree That Saved Connecticut" by Henry Fisk Carlton is a historical play that captures a pivotal time in Connecticut's colonial era. The play centers on the conflict between Connecticut and New York over Connecticut's charter in the late 1600s. Governor Treat and prominent figures in Connecticut’s government work together to shield their treasured charter from Governor Andros. They hide the charter inside the hollow of the Charter Oak tree, hoping to protect their freedom. The story builds to a tense showdown and highlights the themes of resistance and the fight for self-rule, making both the Charter Oak and the charter lasting symbols of Connecticut's strength and the spirit of independence.