William Penn’s charter to be displayed in Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will celebrate the commonwealth’s 342nd birthday on Sunday, March 12, with a rare display of William Penn’s original charter at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg and free admission to many of the historic sites and museums along the Pennsylvania Trails of History.
Pennsylvania was created when Britain’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in 1681. Once each year, the Pennsylvania State Archives exhibits the original document for a limited time at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. The charter is written on parchment using iron gall ink. The State Archives preserves the document in a high-security vault, shielding it from strong light and environmental fluctuations.
Admission to the State Museum is free on Charter Day: Sunday, March 12 only. The Penn Charter will remain on display at the museum until 1 p.m. Friday, March 17, when the document will be returned to the vault for another year.
In addition to the programming at the State Museum, many historic sites and museums along the Pennsylvania Trails of History will offer free admission on Sunday, March 12.
They include the Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh and the Somerset Historical Center in Somerset.
Additional information is available at www.statemuseumpa.org.