The 1701 Pennsylvania Charters - 300th Anniversary Celebration
Charter of Privileges
Charter of Free Public Schools
Charter of City of Philadelphia
Led by the Old City Civic Association, the following organizations are among those which participated in this region-wide observance during 2001:
- American Philosophical Society
- Atwater Kent Museum
- Historic Philadelphia Incorporated
- Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia's Department of Recreation
- National Liberty Museum
- Old City Congregations
- Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
- Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
- Poor Richard's Tours
- University of Pennsylvania
To December 31, 2001
Atwater Kent Museum - Exhibit: "300 Years of Philadelphia History, A Legacy for Philadelphia" showing some of the first articles of Philadelphia's early settlement and William Penn related materials and museum holdings.
To December 31, 2001
Independence Seaport Museum - Gallery exhibit: "Once Upon the Delaware: 300 Years of Philadelphia From the Time of William Penn," including a model display of William Penn's ship, The Welcome.
Through October, 2001
Mural Unveilings and Dedications, on the theme: "The Peaceable Kingdom." Sponsored by the Mural Arts Program (MAP) of Philadelphia's Department of Recreation and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts(PAFA). Murals located in Fairhill Park on public buildings in Center City.
October 1, 2001
Teacher In-Service Training Evening: William Penns's 1701 Charter of Privileges and Charter of Free Public Schools. Open to all public, parochial and Quaker school teachers. Held at the Arch Street Meeting House, 4th and Arch Sts in Old City. Sponsored by Quaker Information Center, in cooperation with the Friends Council on Education, the Education Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends), and the Old City Civic Association.
October 10, 2001
"The Dilemma of Authority: Pennsylvania Quakers, William Penn, and the Colonial Legislature," a lecture by Craig Horle, Temple University early American Historian and Author. Swarthmore College Campus, Scheuer Room, Kohlberg Hall. Wednesday evening, 7:30 PM. Open to public. Sponsored by Friends Historical Library, 610 328-8496.
October 10 & 17, 2001
Seminar and Teacher-In-Service-Training at American Philosophical Society. Focus on the Charter of Privileges, with a discussion of the history leading up to the writing of Pennsylvania's First Constitution and its role as the Forerunner to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Viewing of the Original Document. Sponsored by Education Office, National Constitution Center. Open to primary and secondary teachers on 10/10 and repeated 10/17. Limited space available. Contact: Beth Garrity, 215 923-0004.
October 15 to November 15, 2001
William Penn's Charter of Privileges -- On Display at The American Philosophical Society Original Hand Written Document, signed by and with Seal of William Penn. Exhibit held in Philosophical Hall adjacent to Independence Hall. Call 215 440-3400 for days and hours.
October 23 & 24, 2001
Philadelphia Inquirer Educational Supplement on William Penn and the 1701 Charter (a pdf file). This 16-page newspaper supplement, produced by the Quaker Information Center in collaboration with the Newspapers in Education (NIE) program of Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., was made available to all middle schools and high schools in the Delaware Valley. Historical information, curriculum ideas and exercises, resources provided. Copies available from the Quaker Information Center: 215 241-7024.
October 20 - 27, 2001
Childrens' Interpretive Theatrical Performance on "The Peaceable Kingdom," sponsored by the PAFA, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In collaboration with the Grand Falloons, award winning family theater company from New York, children from diverse Philadelphia communities perform on the peaceful message inspired by Edward Hick's painting, creating and improvising to bring the painting, originally inspired by Wm Penn and his Treaty, and its message to life.
October 28, 2001 - Charter Day
Old Philadelphia Congregations (OPC), the Original Houses of Worship Guaranteed Religious Freedom by the Charter of Privileges, Reflect on the 300th Anniversary in their Sunday Services. Fourteen Churches, Synagogues and Societies located on the edges of William Penn's "Green Country Towne," now a part of Old City and Society Hill. For a list of religious institutions and their histories, visit: http://www.holyexperiment.org
October 28, 2001 - Charter Day
Ecumenical Gathering, Presentation and Musical Offering at the Arch Street Meeting House. Afternoon gathering of the Old Philadelphia Congregations, their members and the general public to hear some reflections on religious diversity, today and into the 21st century with a look to a deeper understanding and appreciation of our differences. Held at 3:00 PM Fourth and Arch Streets.
October 30, 2001
"William Penn" Opera, Composed by Romeo Cascarino. Selections with other works performed by Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra along with the Choral Arts Society and the Mendelssohn Club. Academy of Music. Tickets available at box office.
November 15, 2001
"Heroes in Religious Liberty" - Awards Dinner National Liberty Museum. A tribute to those representing the ideals of respect for diversity and the promotion of broader tolerance and understanding. Evening Awards Gala in support of the National Liberty Museum.
Ongoing"William Penn Tours" booklet facilitates self-guided tours of William Penn and Quaker-related sites in Center Ticy Philadelphia and the nearby area. Available from the Quaker Information Center, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19012. To request, call (215) 241-7024 or e-mail: info@quakerinfo.org (Be sure to provide your postal address.)