Virtual Pennsylvania birthday celebration to be held by Historical & Museum Commission
It’s Pennsylvania’s 340th birthday and there will be a Charter Day party on Sunday, March 7.
The celebration is being put on by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. It will include a virtual display of Pennsylvania founder William Penn’s original charter and other programming.
Pennsylvania came into existence when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in 1681. The original 340-year-old document is exhibited once each year for a limited time. It’s written on parchment using iron gall ink.
The State Archives preserves it in a high-security vault, shielding it from strong light and other environmental concerns.
“This is document number one in the archives, and we consider it the most important because it’s Pennsylvania’s birth certificate,” said Howard Pollman, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.
Starting on March 7 and continuing through March 12, virtual visitors to the Charter Day 2021 landing page will be able to view the charter. Folks can also virtually tour the Violet Oakley murals of William Penn featured in the Governor’s Reception Room at the Capitol and explore colonial-era documents.
“The week stays in the books,” said Pollman. “It doesn’t just disappear the year of covid.”
Sites and museums along Pennsylvania’s Trails of History will offer online programs throughout the week. Several sites will join forces on March 9 at 7 p.m. for a special Zoom webinar as they present and discuss objects from their collections that relate to the theme of “birthdays and other celebration.”
Advance registration is required.
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