The History of Penn Treaty Park
The History Press of Charleston, SC, the publisher of my book Remembering Kensington & Fishtown, has issued my second book, The History of Penn Treaty Park. It is now available for sale. The book looks as follows:
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Penn’s Treaty, Benjamin West and His Followers
Chapter 2: The Fall of the Treaty Elm, Elm Tree Relics, the Penn Society and the Treaty Monument
Chapter 3: The First Decline, Fernon’s Attempts and the Founding of the Park
Chapter 4: Penn Treaty Park: The First Sixty Years, 1893 to 1954
Chapter 5: The Bicentennial, Tercentenary and the Park Expansion, 1955 to 2008
Chapter 6: The Artwork in the Park
For Further Reading
From the “Preface” of the book written by the Penn Treaty Museum founder John Connors:
“In 1682, along the gentle banks of the Delaware River, under the shade of a great elm tree in an area then known as Shackamaxon, William Penn is believed to have made a Treaty of Amity and Friendship” with the Native Americans.
Few events in American history are noted for the just and fair treatment of peoples from different cultures. The legend of William Penn’s treaty with the Indians became a universal symbol of religious and civil liberties. Voltaire made reference to the event in 1764, and artists throughout Europe recreated the scene first painted by Benjamin West in 1771. Drawings of the transaction were used to promote commercial interest in the emerging land. American painter Edward Hicks created numerous depictions of the treaty meeting to promote social change. In the pre–Civil War era, artistic renderings of Penn’s Treaty were used to encourage political movements, religious agendas and social reforms.
Most artists rendered Penn, the English Quaker, and the Native Americans as meeting in friendship and trust beneath the branches of a stately elm tree. The “Great Elm” as it was known, remained as a living monument to this event until it fell during a violent storm in 1810. Concerned citizens thought that the site, and perhaps the event itself, would be forgotten once the mighty tree had toppled. Much of the timber was salvaged, however, and many objects were crafted from the tree’s wood, ensuring that the significance of this unique event was not lost. The first public monument, an obelisk, was placed on what was then private property to mark the site of the historic tree.
In 1831, Chief Justice John Marshall received a box created from the Treaty Elm from Roberts Vaux. Marshall replied:
The box is to me an inestimable relique. I know no inanimate object more entitled to our reverence than the tree of which it was a part, because I think few events in history have stronger claims on our serious reflection, on our humanity, our sense of rights, and on our judgment, than the treaty which was made under it, and the consequences which followed that treaty. The plainly marked difference of intercourse between the colonists of Pennsylvania and the aborigines, and that which other colonists maintained with them, furnishes a practical lesson on the influence which intelligence, real friendship, and justice may acquire and preserves over their untutored minds which ought not even yet to be forgotten.
Interest in creating a permanent park and preserving the site continued throughout the years. Penn Treaty Park was officially established in 1893. Native Americans have always honored the location of this peaceful event along the river, handing down the story of this historic occurrence in their traditional oral history, and have gathered at the site on numerous occasions in the past 326 years.
This book is inspired in part by Dr. Etta May Pettyjohn (1909–2005), who for many years championed the preservation of Penn Treaty Park and outlined a vision for a museum in 1970. Dr. Pettyjohn was a member of the tercentenary committee and often spoke of how this simple event had impacted political and social change in the young America. She believed that the story of Penn Treaty Park richly deserved a museum as a permanent tribute to the extraordinary message of Penn’s Treaty from long ago.
Today, the Fairmount Park Commission maintains the grounds with oversight from the Friends of Penn Treaty Park.” - John Connors, 2008.
The book is paperback and contains 160-pages with 60 illustrations and maps.
The History of the Kensington Soup Society, 1844-2008
“Kensington Soup House. - This building, located in Allen Street, Eighteenth Ward, daily presents a scene of interest to all who concern themselves about the alleviation of human suffering. The society is now busy in dispensing its charities, and many a crushed spirit is the recipient of its bounty. Every morning hundreds of the poorest residents of the vicinity vie to the spot to have their kettles filled with soup, which is received with an eagerness which shows that want and hunger is pinching. The applicants are of all ages and of both sexes and colors. Ragged children come from squalid homes, but there are also some attired with comparative neatness, who show by their demeanor that their position is strange and unpleasant. Women approach at times timidly, obtain the relief and depart quickly, but with eyes that speak gratitude. Old men bowed with age and sorrow also come, and tearfully thank the dispensers of the nourishment which is to prolong their days of sadness. There is much distress in the vicinity of the Soup House, and the society well deserves the aid and co-operation of the benevolent in their good work.” - 2 Feb 1861 Philadelphia Inquirer
This book is also published by The History Press and is now available. The book looks as follows:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. The Founding of the Kensington Soup Society
Chapter 2. The Early Years of the Soup Society –Managers & Benefactors
Chapter 3. Early Homes of the Kensington Soup Society and the Financing of the
Crease Street Soup House
Chapter 4. The Running of the Soup Society
Chapter 5. The Soup Society in the Late 19th Century
Chapter 6. The Williamson Family and Coal Fund
Chapter 7. Word War I, The Great Depression, & World War II
Chapter 8. Changing Shape of the Kensington Soup Society
The book paperback and contains 158 pages and over 70 illustrations and maps.
If ordering a book, please let me know what title you want. The books are $19.99 ($4.00 for postage if needed for 1st book, each additional book add $2.00). Make check or money order out to "Kenneth W. Milano" and send to "Ken Milano, 2313 E. York Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125." You can also pay with credit cards via Paypal.com. My account is my email address. Let me know if you want it signed!