“Our principle is… to seek peace.” George Fox, Founder of the Quakers, 1661 Today we remember Martin Luther King, Jr., who advocated for national equality and freedom at the expense Read More
William Penn
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
Our Not-So-Quaker Holly Nights!
The staff at Pennsbury Manor are scurrying everywhere getting ready for our annual Holly Nights this week, but in reality William Penn’s home would have been quiet and uninterrupted over 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
German Cooking: Not the “Wurst” Food in the Colony!
During the 17th Century, what we know as Germany was a hodgepodge of different states disputing everything from religion to politics. With religious persecution and destruction brought about by The Thirty Read More
Peaches and peppers and squash… oh my!
“The gardiner is brisk at work. The Peach-Trees are much broken down with the weight of Fruit this Year.” William Penn’s steward James Harrison reported this good news in October Read More
Philadelphia versus Salem: Preventing Witch Hysteria
Last week, we shared the story of the Mattson Witch Trial, the only known witch trial William Penn presided over. Pennsylvania never reached anywhere near the heights of Salem’s infamous witch hunts. Read More
“What magic words do you utter then?”: How to Catch a Witch!
‘Tis the month of ghost and ghouls and all things otherworldly… so it’s a great time to explore the role of witchcraft in 17th-century society! So how would you react as a 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
