Recapping Charter Day 2014

Thanks to all of you who ventured out into the lovely spring-like weather this weekend to visit the Trails of History. We had lots of folks stop by on Charter Day to help us celebrate Pennsylvania’s 333rd birthday.

Sites shared photos and info about their programs on Facebook and Twitter (and other places too), and local news outlets picked up the story both before and after the event.

Gov. Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett chat with William and Hannah Penn
at Pennsbury Manor on Charter Day 2014

As noted in Friday’s post, Pennsbury Manor chose Charter Day to kick off the celebration of their 75th anniversary as a historic site. Gov. Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett were on hand and met with William and Hannah Penn. The original charter of Pennsylvania, given to William Penn in 1681 by King Charles II, will be on exhibit at Pennsbury through March 16 before returning to the Pennsylvania State Archives. I saw on Twitter that Pennsbury visitors (and I’m guessing some staff and volunteers) donated more than 250 pounds of non-perishable food for the Penndel Food Pantry. First Lady Susan Corbett’s Facebook page shared a photo with the original charter and archivist Linda Ries.

Old Economy Village asked visitors to bring non-perishable food to donate
to the Center for Hope in Ambridge

You’ll find a bunch more Charter Day photos on Facebook: Daniel Boone Homestead, Cornwall Iron Furnace, Eckley Miners’ Village, and Ephrata Cloister. I’ve probably missed some and will try to update as we go.

Coverage from print and broadcast media was good as well: Somerset Historical Center, Joseph Priestley House, Lancaster County sites (Ephrata, Landis Valley, and Railroad), Pennsylvania Military Museum, and the Erie Maritime Museum.