William Penn In Your Classroom

Manor House to School House: William Penn in Your Classroom

All Manor House to School House programs are provided by William Penn in the classroom. Each program
is 45-60 minutes in length and can accommodate up to two classes at a cost of $250.  An additional
program on the same day is $100.

The Penn Mead Trial
Hats on? Hats off? When to take your hat off and when to keep your hat on your head was quite important in seventeenth century England!  William Penn is arrested and brought to trial for causing a riot in the streets of London.  Revisit this important 1670 court case to understand how this trial influenced Penn’s ideals about justice and fairness.  Students are assigned roles in the case and act as the jury.

The Voyage of the Welcome
Travel to America was no luxury cruise.  In 1682, William Penn sailed to Pennsylvania with one hundred other colonists on The Welcome.  Students take on the identity of passengers on the ship and recreate the voyage.  They must also decide what they will bring with them to America. Find out what happens to them on their journey!

Two American Witch Trials
In 1684, Margaret Mattson was accused by her neighbors of being a witch. This program is a recreation of what would be Pennsylvania’s first and only witch trial. Some students have scripted roles and all other students serve on the jury. The jury decides whether Margaret (who is portrayed by the teacher) is guilty or innocent.  After their verdict is rendered, one of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials is recreated, with students again presenting the testimony against the accused. Afterwards, the circumstances leading up to each of these trials and the outcomes of each trial are compared.

Please call 215-946-0400 to make a reservation. For additional information, please contact Diane Nadler, Education Program Coordinator at c-dnadler@pa.gov. Pennsbury Manor, 400 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville, PA 19067.