William Penn's Welcome Week

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 For further information contact:

Chris Davis, 215.685.4828

christine.davis@atwaterkentmuseum.org

Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia

THE 325^TH ANNIVERSARY OF WILLIAM PENN'S ARRIVAL IN

PENNSYLVANIA IS CELEBRATED BY

AREA HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

(September 10, 2007— Philadelphia, PA)   The 325^th anniversary of the life and legacy of William Penn is celebrated through collaborative programming at nine area historical and cultural organizations during William Penn's Welcome Week from October 13-21, 2007.  Admission fees are reduced or eliminated through a Welcome Week Passport that may be purchased on line beginning October 1 at www.ushistory.org/penn, at participating organizations and Independence Visitor Center.  The Passport cost is $10 for adults, a savings of up to $21; and $5 for children.

            To celebrate Penn's arrival in the Philadelphia area in 1682, exhibitions, family activities, displays, lectures and programs are presented to engage and delight adults and children.  Participating organizations include the American Swedish Historical Museum, Arch Street Friends Meeting House, Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia, Christ Church, City Hall Tours, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, The Lower Merion Historical Society, Pennsbury Manor, and Stenton.  Independence Historical Association provides Web access to promote activities and information related to Penn's life.

            During the ten-day period Arch Street Friends Meeting House, Pennsbury Manor, Stenton, and the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia have continuing displays.  At Arch Street Friends Meeting House, diorama cases, videos and historic interpretation by docents explore the ideals that shaped Penn's colony with a focus on the most diverse, enlightened and socially conscious colonial city in America and on William Penn, his life, his work and his relevance today.  Pennsbury Manor, Penn's reconstructed estate operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, offers a glimpse of Penn's life as a country gentleman.  At Stenton, the home of Penn's agent in Germantown, James Logan, plans were made for the development of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia is exhibiting Penn's Philadelphia City Charter drafted in 1701 in the exhibition, How Philly Works:  Streets as Barometers of Urban Life.  Also on special display are the personal objects belonging to the Penn family including an armchair, the family cradle, a great oak chest, and the only portrait of Penn painted from life, from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Collection at the Atwater Kent.  

            "Few American cities are so linked to their founders as Philadelphia is to William Penn," says Viki Sand, Executive Director of the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia.  "Penn was a city planner and a real estate developer who was guided by his Quaker faith.  philadelphians continue to live with Penn's vision for a healthy, diverse, prosperous urban community.  William Penn's Welcome Week is a wonderful opportunity for residents of the region and visitors to explore the life of William Penn and his impact through cultural organizations that hold his legacy."

Special programs for William Penn's Welcome Week

American Swedish Historical Museum

Thursday, October 18, 11:00 a.m.  Toni Seaflower lectures on Lenape Culture including clothing, music and dance. Explore the museum galleries that include interpretations of Lenape and Swedish interactions from the New Sweden colonial period that predates Penn's arrival in the Delaware Valley. Free with Passport.  Additional fee for light lunch requiring RSVP, 215.389.1776.

Arch Street Friends Meeting House

Saturday October 13, 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  William Penn Walking Tour of one mile from the perspective of William Penn and early Quakers, highlighted with songs, stories and drums.

 Tuesday, October 16, 11:00 a.m.  Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Cultural Center Interpretation, with the Center's Cultural Director to highlight the lives of the Lenapes today in preserving their heritage and advancing their relevance.

 Saturday, October 20, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  William Penn revisits the land he gave to the Quakers in 1693. Once Upon a Nation presents Quaker tales (at 1:30 p.m.). The pluralism of Penn's colony is celebrated with a Baroque ensemble, an Irish Band, the Swedish Museum Singers, Mother Bethel AME Church singers, and Lenni Lanape music and dances in full regalia.  Enjoy a slice of Gulielma Penn's Portingall cake.  Donations appreciated.   

Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia

Tuesday, October 16, 6:00-7:30 p.m.  The Continuing Relevance of the Wampum Belt.  Among the most iconic objects associated with William Penn is the belt of wampum reportedly given to Penn by the Lenape people, currently on display in the AKMP exhibition How Philly Works: Streets as Barometers of Urban Life. The lore surrounding the Treaty of Shackamaxon and the continuing importance of treaties for Native Americans is presented by Seneca leader G. Peter Jemison from Cattaraugus, NY, and Daniel K. Richter, Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania.  Free with Passport.

Sunday, October 21, 10:00 a.m.-noon.  Pancakes with Penn. Storytelling by William Penn interpreter Bob Gleason and a pancake and sausage breakfast highlight family activities including quill and ink pen writing, map collage, doll making, and photographs with William Penn. Reservations required by October 12. Non-members: Adults, $30; Children $25.  Passport holders and Members: Adults, $25; Children, $20. Call 215.685.4830.

Christ Church

Sunday October 14 and 21, 2:00 p.m.  Church historian Neil Ronk celebrates William Penn's vision with a presentation about Penn and the Anglican Church. The continued existence of Christ Church Philadelphia for over 300 years is proof of the enduring legacy of William Penn's vision of toleration. Founded as the first Church of England parish in the colony of Pennsylvania, Christ Church represented the established church that many of the Quakers had come to the colony to flee.

Books from the Bray Library, the oldest circulating library in the city are on display. Donation requested.

City Hall Tours

Monday-Friday, October 15-19, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  Visit the exact center of William Penn's original plan for Philadelphia at this National Historic Landmark topped by a 37 foot tall bronze statue of William Penn that is currently undergoing scheduled conservation. At 12:30 p.m. join a guided 1 ˝ hour tour to learn about William Penn and explore the ornate exterior and interior of the largest City Hall in the world. Free with Passport.

 Wednesday, October 17, 5:00 p.m. starting at the City Hall Visitor Center, East Portal. Take a guided tour of the exterior architecture of City Hall including information on the conservation of the William Penn Statue. The tour also includes information on some of the architecture on South Broad Street and ends at 123 South Broad Street for a lecture presented by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia at The Justice Roberts Room at Montgomery McCracken Walker Rhoads.  Tour is free for Passport holders, other adults, $5.

 At Montgomery McCracken Walker Rhoads, a presentation and book signing with Preservation Alliance Executive Director and author John Gallery, The Planning of Center City Philadelphia: From William Penn to the Present. Gallery's book traces three centuries of planning history, from Penn's original concept to mid-20^th century urban renewal efforts. PAGP Members and Passport holders, $15; Non members, $20.

The Lower Merion Historical Society

Celebrating 325 years of William Penn's vision at the first Welsh settlement in Lower Merion and Narberth with free programs before, during and after William Penn's Welcome Week.

Saturday, October 20, at three local Quaker meetinghouses:

10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Merion Meetinghouse, a short play about William Penn.

12:30-2:00 p.m. at the Old Haverford Meetinghouse, a short sketch of the Penn-Mead trial which established the right of a jury to freedom from intimidation by the judge.

3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Radnor Meetinghouse, Professor Charles Cherry of Villanova University offers a lecture on the life and times of William Penn. 

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Wednesday, October 17

3:00-4:30 p.m. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) staff share their favorites from HSP's extraordinary Penn-related collections through an up-close experience with rarely seen documents and images. 

4:00-6:00 p.m.  Worldviews in Contact, Compromise and Conflict, a teacher workshop with non-teachers welcome, to explore the idea of worldview as illustrated in the encounter and interaction

between Native Americans and Europeans from William Penn's  "Holy Experiment" to the French

and Indian War. Workshop is free and attendance qualifies for 2 hours toward Act 48 credit for Pennsylvania educators. To register, contact Kate Wilson at kwilson@hsp.org. Free to the public.

Pennsbury Manor

Open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.  Throughout William Penn's Welcome Week enjoy the reconstructed home of William Penn on the Delaware River with daily tours which highlight Penn's life, achievements and his community. Enjoy the peaceful gardens, grounds and building that share a quarter of a mile of river frontage. The new Visitors Center welcomes visitors for William Penn's Welcome Week. Free with Passport.

Stenton

Tuesday-Saturday, October 16-20, 1:00-4:00 p.m.  Enjoy special Penn-themed tours of the historic country mansion built in Northwest Philadelphia by James Logan, William Penn's secretary and chief agent. Explore the relationship between Penn and Logan, a man who held virtually every political office, negotiated with Native Americans and amassed a collection of some of the finest furniture in 18^th century Philadelphia, some on display at Stenton today.  Free with Passport.

Thursday, October 18, 3:00 p.m. The Penn Family and James Logan: The Formation of Colonial Pennsylvania. As a leader of the Society of Friends, William Penn proposed that his colony be a haven for religious freedom and equality for all of its citizens. As time moved forward, how well were Penn's principles upheld by his sons and the family's agent, James Logan?  Stenton Executive Director Stephen G. Hague presents a free lecture exploring this fascinating topic followed by tea and a tour.    

"A great adventure awaits visitors who travel off the beaten path," says Nancy Gibbs, Coordinator of Visitor Services, Arch Street Friends Meeting House of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. "Most visitors come to Philadelphia to find the birthplace of our nation. But the seeds of American civilization were planted nearly 100 years before the Revolution by none other than William Penn.  His daring ‘Holy Experiment' was dedicated to religious liberty, equality and peace."

A full description of the participating organizations may be found at their Websites:

American Swedish Historical Museum, www.americanswedish.org 

Arch Street Friends Meeting House, www.pym.org/pm/archst_tours.php 

Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia, www.philadelphiahistory.org 

Christ Church, www.christchurchphila.org 

City Hall Tours, www.philagov/property/virtyalcityhall/visitorinfo.asp 

Historical Society of Pennsylvania, www.hsp.org 

The Lower Merion Historical Society, www.LowerMerionHistory.org

Pennsbury Manor, www.pennsburymanor.org 

Stenton, www.stenton.org

Promotional support for William Penn's Welcome Week has been provided through funds from the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation and from participating organizations.

For a complete listing of special exhibitions, programs and events, visit www.ushistory.org/penn .

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