Ann Shippen’s Story (Part II) In an earlier post we shared the story of Ann Shippen, who at age 17 was living with the Penn family at Pennsbury Manor. Ann Read More
period clothing
Our amazing (rain-free) Holly Nights Spectacular!
We had such a wonderful time with our visitors on Holly Nights this year!! The rain gave us a 5-hour window to enjoy our Friday night, and we were so Read More
Confessions of a Costumier: Dressing the Community Leaders
Throughout the year we’ve been celebrating the unique clothing of the various people living and visiting Pennsbury Manor in the late 17th Century. After featuring the Laborers and the Servants/Tradespeople, Read More
Keep Your Wig On!
We just got out new “William Penn” wig today, and we’re wiggin’ out!! Many thanks to Colonial Williamsburg’s Wig Shop, who constructed this wig along with another on display here Read More
Miniature Models – Dressing Children in the 17th Century
As the school year quickly shifts into high-gear and stores advertise their latest sales on backpacks and sneakers, the staff at Pennsbury can’t help but notice the differences between modern Read More
Confessions of a Costumier: Dressing the Tradespeople
Following our 17th-century Fashion Show last spring, I posted an article highlighting the Laborers and their clothing – next up are the Servants & Tradespeople! These men and women did not Read More
William’s World: To Butter and Beyond
Just as in the time of William Penn, the work was never done, and so too do we find our fourth post in regards to Dairying! Our first posts covered the Read More
The Country Life: Growing our Clothes
As the summer heat drags on, we turn our focus to an important crop we’ve been growing in the Kitchen Garden: flax. This reed-like plant has been used for thousands Read More
Confessions of a Costumier: Dressing the Laborers
About a month has passed since our 17th-Century Fashion Show, and we had such an amazing time! A HUGE thank-you goes out to our lovely volunteer models (L-R) Mike Thomforde, Read More
17th-Century Fashion Show!
In less than 3 weeks, we will have a very exciting event for all members of The Pennsbury Society: a 17th-Century Fashion Show! One of the benefits of membership in Read More