For reservations to experience “nkwiluntàmën: I long for it; I am lonesome for it (such as the sound of a drum)” by Indigenous artist Nathan Young, please go to https://nkwiluntamen.com/
Nash is often considered one of the best historical authors of his generation ( not to mention a personal favorite of mine whose work The Unknown American Revolution: The Unruly Birth of Democracy and the Struggle to Create America was definitely used in my master’s thesis!). Considering that legacy, I was really excited to see how much credit he gives our beloved William Penn and his role in creating Philadelphia’s cradle of liberty!
Check out his article and feel free to share your thoughts below!
In June of 1682, Penn was busily preparing to leave for Pennsylvania. But already he was writing to the Native Americans and establishing his two main concerns: peaceful title to land and establishing commerce through the Free Society of Traders. The Emperor of Canada is probably an Iroquois chief.
You can find the original of this letter in our exhibit:
“TO THE EMPEROR OF CANADA
The Great God that made thee and me and all the World Incline our hearts to love peace and Justice that we may live friendly together as becomes the workmanship of the great God. The King of England who is a Great Prince hath for divers Reasons Granted to me a large Country in America which however I am willing to Injoy upon friendly termes with thee. And this I will say that the people who comes with me are a just plain and honest people that neither make war upon others nor fear war from others because they will be just. I have sett up a Society of Traders in my Province to traffick with thee and thy people for your Commodities that you may be furnished with that which is good at reasonable rates And that Society hath ordered their President to treat with thee about a future Trade and have joined with me to Send this Messenger to thee with certain Presents from us to testify our Willingness to have a fair Correspondence with thee: And what this Agent shall do in our names we will agree unto. I hope thou wilt kindly Receive him and Comply with his desires on our behalf both with Respect to Land and Trade. The Great God be with thee. Amen.”
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up and live like William Penn? Spend a week eating and dressing like the Penn family, sleeping in the House at Pennsbury Manor?
Well I can’t really help you there. BUT apparently there are two hilarious, adventurous Britons who came very close to that dream! I have recently discovered a very funny show called “The Supersizers,” hosted by restaurant critic Giles Coren and broadcaster Sue Perkins who spend a week dressing, eating, and living in different times throughout British History. Not only is it absolutely hysterical to watch, but it offers a fascinating look at the food and lifestyle of the time!
One of the episodes looks at Restoration England, a slightly earlier time period (1660s) than what we interpret at Pennsbury (1683-1701). But it’s still full of really fascinating insights (note the part where they discuss the rising popularity of vegetables!). Enjoy!
So adorable!! I love when I see history portrayed well in the media. The more history is brought to life for audiences, the more they’ll be interested in finding out the REAL story. The whimsy and adventurous spirit in this commercial is exactly how I wish everyone felt when confronted with history! What do you think?
This is, as stated on the artifact, “A MAPP OF YE IMPROVED PENSILVANIA IN AMERICA DIVIDED INTO COUNTIES TOWNSHIPS ANDLOTS. SURVEYED BY THO.HOLMES SOLD BY P.LEA. DEDICATED TO WILLIAM PENNBY INO HARRIS”. This print, shown above, is on display located in the porch of the House, above the fireplace. The map shows Philadelphia and the land along the Delaware River from New Castle to Pennsbury. It is an early 18th century map that is 26 ¼ by 20 ¾ inches in size. It is on white paper done in black printer’s ink and some watercolors.
Some features of the map include the crest of Pennsbury, decorations depicting a full net of fish and a harvest of food with farming tools in the top center, signifying prosperity and the abundance of resources. Key of the map include a scale of distance, compass, and in the top left and right corners there are boxes that say, “REFERS TO SETTLEMENTS OF SEVERAL INHABITANTS IN THE COUNTY OF CHESTER/ BUCKSANDPHILADELPHIA”. Terrain features shown on the map consists of rivers, islands in the Delaware River, trees which symbolize not only forests, but perhaps how dense the forests were by showing trees close to each other and some spread out, and clumps of buildings symbolizing settlements, such as on this map “Newcafle” and “Bridlington”. On the top center of the page is a close up of Philadelphia, which is quite significant in its layout. The Fire of 1666 in London destroyed most of the city. The main problem in London’s design was how close the building was to one another, thus the fire was able to spread more easily. William Penn saw this flaw and he designed Philadelphia to be organized in a grid pattern with plenty of open space between buildings. This map is not only an important resource to us in learning what the landscape looked like back then, but also how map making progressed through time.
Maps with color and decoration such as this one began to appear in the 17th Century. Over time, maps got grander in their decoration, showing anything from Roman gods to mythical creatures to historical or biblical events unfolding on land or at sea. Along the boarders were sometimes family crests or university crests to show the power and prestige of the areas that the map showed. Close up boxes of important areas could also be found somewhere on the map. Small pictures of terrain features were also prevalent, showing forests, hills, mountains, wildlife, castles, settlements and bodies of water, to name a few. Map keys for distance measurements and other features were always on maps, just like they are today.
In comparison with old and modern maps, our maps shows at least one characteristic of both. Compared to old maps, our map does not have any references to biblical, historical, or mythological themes. It was done in color, though it has faded over time, and the crest of Pennsbury is featured on it, which is also shown in older maps. In comparison to modern maps, our map differs by having land plots with the owner’s name on it, beautiful symbolic decorations, differences in landscape, and is less accurate geographically. The most common feature that mostly every map has is a key for which anyone could figure out and find their way.
I thought I would share two related anecdotes from our recent annual Sheep Shearing Day at Pennsbury Manor. As you know, we are heavily dependent upon the efforts of all our volunteers, especially during these “Big Days.” Lately it seems our ranks have been replenished with some “fresh fish” — young volunteers from home school families. One such volunteer, 8 year-old Georgie McBride, clearly likes dressing up in period clothing, and worked with her mother Trisha in the Kitchen Garden demonstrating wattle-fence making. Taking a break Georgie stopped by to chat with me as I guarded the door to the Workers’ Cottage. If you were at the event you know I’m not lying: the place was teeming with kids Georgie’s age. Upon occasion she would look about to see what they were doing. In one instance a student let out a scream from behind The House. Georgie reeled around to see what all the commotion was about. When her gaze came back to me she said in an exasperated tone, “Why is it that kids my age like that thing over there – oh, I can’t remember its name! You know– that horsey-getter-upper-onnie-and-offy-thing? Ha!” We both laughed and I said, “Georgie, it’s called a mounting block but from this day forward it will now be known as…”
Earlier that morning I’d been guiding in The House. I always like to point out the three table-top vessels for coffee, tea, and chocolate in the Withdrawing Room. Now imagine the number of kids and chaperones in these groups as we try to herd them though the first floor. By that particular room the groups tend to get crammed into a small space! After I described their significance a boy about 8 to 9 years-old exuberantly replied: “Wow! It’s like I can even smell the coffee.” I burst out laughing and said in return, “Son you’re likely smelling my breath! I drank a lot of coffee before coming on duty this morning.” Oh, it gets better!
I handed that boy’s group over to another guide and went to the front door to pick up a new group. Much to my pleasant surprise there was a much needed lull in the action and I had no group to ferry about! Instead what happened was that our own Diane Reed, standing on the front steps landing turned to me and offered a basket of spearmint candy! Timing’s everything, and too funny, right? As the late Art Linkletter used to say: “Kids say the darndest things.”
With the release of yet another Pirate movie, I thought I’d share some of our own William Penn’s experience with the swashbuckling menaces! In April of 1700, Penn wrote to the Board of Trade explaining some of his troubles:
Painting of Captain Kidd as imagined by the artist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, ca. 1920
There came lately to my Notice this Information, That when Captain Kidd was off our Capes, there went on board him Geo: Thomson, Peter Lewis, Henry Stretcher, William Orr, & Diggory Tenny from the town of Lewis in Sussex (now Delaware) the three first staid on board 24 hours, the two last but an hour, but both Companies brought Goods on Shoar, I hear to the Value of 300l, which they concealed and Sold as they could dispose of them, Some are yet in their Custody: Thomson Lewis and Orr were under suspicion of being old Pirates…here are 5 of them in this Government, but 3 of them have followed a Life of Husbandry, turning Planter, the other have Trades.
Penn goes on to say that the men in question, claiming that they did not know they were dealing with the infamous Captain Kidd, were in jail and cooperating with Penn. The General Assembly had, in Penn’s absence, repealed some of the laws regarding commerce with Pirates, and the men, who “Our present Law will hardly reach,” were allowed to live inPennsylvania. Penn writes…
…It is true they are poor and married men, & have Children, but such men must not be endured to live near the Sea-Coasts nor trade, least they become Receptacles and Broakers for Younger Pirates. … Since many of those reputed Pirates had some Years agoe been permitted to live in this & other Provinces, on Condition, that they left them not without leave, and behaved well while they Staid. I wait the Kings Orders about them. I have them all under good Bonds of Real and Personal Estate to be accountable and so Suffer them to live with their families, on their Plantations, till I receive further Directions about them.
It’s that time of year again…. the school buses are rolling in, the sun is shining (finally!!), and college exams are finished… what does that mean?? You guessed it – the Summer Interns have arrived!!
I’d like to introduce you to the 7 young, friendly faces you’ll be seeing around the site this summer. While sometimes you’ll see them giving tours, doing laundry, weeding the garden, or prepping program supplies, they will also each be spending some quality time on a special project they’ve been assigned. Be sure and say hello when you see them… leave the playing ticks to our mischievous gardener Mike!
Lloyd Frisone (University of the Arts Graduate student, supervised by Tabitha Dardes) Lloyd will be working on various public relations projects, including updating our Facebook and Twitter feeds and assisting in the development of our new website.
Danielle Lehr (West Chester University, supervised by Mike Johnson) When not working in the garden, Danielle will be researching and writing a new Garden Highlights Featurette for the Blog and assisting Ruth with her interpretive project
Ruth Lonvick (University of the Arts Graduate student, supervised by Mike Johnson) Ruth will be researching & developing a way for us to provide browsing visitors with more information about the Kitchen Garden’s plants and their uses. She will also get hands-on experience actually working in the garden throughout the season.
Joshua Martin (Kutztown University student & former junior volunteer, supervised by Hannah Howard) Josh has such great memories of his time as a junior volunteer, he decided to come back! Josh will be researching and talking with our youth volunteers to form a new, meanigful, organized volunteer program for our Under-18 recruits! He will also be helping with volunteer recruitment planning.
Danielle Straub (University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg undergraduate student & former junior volunteer, supervised by Todd Galle) Danielle will be researching and writing the Collections Highlights Featurette for the blog. We hope to develop these featurettes comprehensive collections guidebook for volunteers to use as a reference throughout the House.
SEASONAL EMPLOYEES
Sarah Enke (Bucks County Community College, supervised by Diane Nadler) Sarah started as a student employee this Spring, and we are very glad she can continue to help out during the summer season. Sarah does a bit of everything, from giving tours to keeping our period clothing clean and freshly ironed.
Jennifer Martin (Shippensburg University & 2010 Intern, supervised by Diane Nadler) We are so glad Jenn is back to run our Summer Camp Program! But since it’s already planned and she hates to sit around and do nothing, though, we suspect in her extra timeshe’ll have her hands in a variety of projects this summer.
Our group of period clothing volunteers had such an AMAZING, productive sewing day this weekend. I was inspired to commend everyone and point out the value of their hard work.
Pennsbury Manor's collection of ladies' chemises
Some volunteers may have noticed a few new things popping up in the clothing room, especially the men who have never had REAL authentic waistcoats to wear until recently! But I bet no one really understands how much hard work is happening behind the scenes to make that happen and how important this work actually is. So I thought I’d share an update on where we are in the wide world of historical interpretation.
Over the last year, I have been researching circa 1700 clothing styles, construction, techniques, fabric, etc. This quest has led me on a nation-wide search for other historic clothing programs and find out who else is using the same time period and clothing styles. It’s not a time period much discussed at historic sites and museums, which means places to buy clothing or patterns is very slim. It would be so helpful if we could work together in sharing resources, patterns, and tips right?? Well guess how many I found??? ZERO.
Olivia D'Alessio getting dressed for Holly Nights
That’s right. I have not found a single historic site that interprets the turn of the 18th Century AND has a clothing collection they use regularly.
That means Pennsbury Manor is THE ONLY PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY that studies and makes clothing for this critical period in our nation’s development. Am I the only one who thinks this is astonishing???
We always knew Pennsbury had a very special story to tell, but I never thought it was such a unique and important place within the diaspora of North American museums and historic sites. A couple programs I’ve found have begun to consider moving beyond just a couple interpreter costumes used on special occasions, but are still in their early stages.
Interpreters at Hampton Court Palace (image found on Flickr via google image search)
In fact, the only program I have discovered with regular-use, circa-1700 clothing seems to be at England’s Hampton Court Palace, where interpreters are outfited in the style of courtiers to interpret William & Mary’s Apartments. These garments looks beautiful and were custom-made by a British historical costumer (http://www.thestaymaker.co.uk/index.php), but they seem to only include upper-class styles, certainly far too ornate for most American colonists.
Interpreter at Hampton Court Palace (image found at http://www.annandave.org/Male%20guard.JPG)
I really hope I am proven wrong and find another program that focuses on this amazing period in America’s story. But at this moment, Pennsbury remains an even more treasured corner of this country’s historic sites and will continue to break ground in its standards of interpretive excellence. The clothing volunteers are hitting their stride and have some wonderful garments in the works – I look forward to sharing with everyone our progress and giving you the best possible tools for interpretation.
Charlie Thomforde interprets cider-making for school children
I just discovered a great online resource called American Centuries that I just had to share! This website, which can be found at this address: http://americancenturies.mass.edu/home.html, was developed by Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield, Massachusetts. It’s main content looks at the turn-of-the-centuries in American History – 1700, 1800, and 1900 – and examines the people, politics, and daily life. It includes some great content videos, activities, and even online collections to browse.
These are very good examples of early 18th century dress, and very close to how we try to dress at Pennsbury Manor. To learn about a garment or accessory, simply roll your mouse over the object until it highlights – a text box should appear and an audio voice will also read the text aloud. Have fun learning and feel free to discuss in the comments section below!!
This is, as stated on the artifact, “A MAPP OF YE IMPROVED PENSILVANIA IN AMERICA DIVIDED INTO COUNTIES TOWNSHIPS ANDLOTS. SURVEYED BY THO.HOLMES SOLD BY P.LEA. DEDICATED TO WILLIAM PENNBY INO HARRIS”. This print, shown above, is on display located in the porch of the House, above the fireplace. The map shows Philadelphia and the land along the Delaware River from New Castle to Pennsbury. It is an early 18th century map that is 26 ¼ by 20 ¾ inches in size. It is on white paper done in black printer’s ink and some watercolors.
