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    PA Historical & Museum Commission Celebrates Pennsylvania’s 340th Birthday on Charter Day, Sunday, March 7

    February 23, 2021

    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) will celebrate the commonwealth’s 340th birthday on Charter Day, Sunday, March 7, with a virtual display of William Penn’s original 1681 charter and other programming from the Pennsylvania State ArchivesOpens In A New Window, State Museum of PennsylvaniaOpens In A New Window and the Pennsylvania Trails of History.Opens In A New Window

    Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in 1681. Once each year, the Pennsylvania State Archives exhibits the original documentOpens In A New Window for a limited time. The 340-year-old 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.

    Beginning Sunday, March 7 and continuing through Friday, March 12, virtual visitors to the Charter Day 2021 landing page will be able to view the charter and find out more about how the Charter ended up at PHMC and how we care for it.  In addition, they can “tour” the Violet Oakley murals of William Penn, Pennsylvania’s founder, featured in the Governor’s Reception Room at the Capitol, explore colonial-era documents or “virtually” page through more than 45 years of Pennsylvania HeritageOpens In A New Window magazine for articles exploring all aspects of Pennsylvania’s 340-year history and much more.

    Sites and museums along Pennsylvania’s Trails of History will offer online programs throughout the week.  Several sites will come together on Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 PM for a special Zoom webinar as they present and discuss objects from their collections that relate to the aptly chosen theme of "birthdays and other celebrations." Advance registrationOpens In A New Window is required.

    Participating sites include Cornwall Iron FurnaceOpens In A New Window, Eckley Miners VillageOpens In A New Window, Ephrata CloisterOpens In A New Window, Erie Maritime Museum,Opens In A New Window Hope LodgeOpens In A New Window, Joseph Priestley HouseOpens In A New Window, Landis Valley Village and Farm MuseumOpens In A New Window, Pennsbury ManorOpens In A New Window, Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum,Opens In A New Window Pennsylvania Lumber Museum,Opens In A New Window Pennsylvania Military MuseumOpens In A New Window and The Railroad Museum of PennsylvaniaOpens In A New Window. 

    Throughout the week PHMC will highlight featured programs via on FacebookOpens In A New Window, TwitterOpens In A New Window, InstagramOpens In A New Window or LinkedInOpens In A New Window.  Start following now so you don’t miss a thing. 

    The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Learn more onlineOpens In A New Window.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639