Trail of Hope

To have striven, to have made the effort, to have been true to certain ideals – this alone is worth the struggle.  Wm. Penn

The legacy of Penn Treaty Park is over 330 years old.  And from the early years it was always a Sacred Ground.

It took over 2 centuries to make it a public Park. Many individuals cherished and tended this place, committing their own believes and hopes on the importance of preservation. Finally, after years of efforts Penn Treaty Park was recognized and registered by Philadelphia Historical Commission.

To Celebrate this important milestone, Penn Treaty Museum organized a ceremony on May 12, 2012 in Penn Treaty Park. Many neighbors and supporters gathered to commemorate this important step in preserving Penn Treaty Park as a Historic Landmark.  This place is much more than just a park. It’s more than just “where it all began”.  It is a Place of Peace and Harmony, a place of Spirit that lives among us.  

Penn Treaty Museum leading the Celebration of the registration of Penn Treaty Park as a Historic Landmark.

Many supporters at the May 12th. Celebration

Behold, my brothers, the spring has come; the earth has received the embraces of the sun and we shall soon see the results of that love! Every seed has awakened and so has all animal life. It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being and we therefore yield to our neighbors, even our animal neighbors, the same right as ourselves, to inhabit this land.   -   Tatanka Yotanka (Sitting Bull), Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux

Many have tried before, but I guess it takes special charisma to fulfill the task. For decades many more very committed people persisted on recognizing Penn Treaty Park as a historic place. And for decades nothing happened.

There are times when we discover that life’s circumstances are not always what we might wish them to be. There are moments in our lives when things do not go as planned. Yet we cannot allow those unpredictable obstacles hold us back from putting our efforts into choosing a path to work towards direction of our goals.

And this Saturday, we’ll have a chance to meet some of those amazing people, a very special individuals.

Thanks to them, and their persistence and countless efforts at last, Pent Treaty Park has been recognized by Philadelphia Historical Commission and placed on the Registrar of Philadelphia Historic Places.

At Last - Recognition of Penn Treaty Park

Penn Treaty Museum is proud to host a Celebration to recognize the listing of Penn Treaty Park on  the Registrar of Philadelphia Historic Places.

Saturday, May 12, 2012  @ 12 Noon at Penn Treaty Park -Delaware and Columbia Ave.

Music -Kensington Creative and Performing Arts(CAPA) High School-Drum Line

Presentations:

• New Kensington CDC
• Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia
• Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
• Barbara Morehead, Friends of Penn Treaty Park

The collection of the Penn Treaty Museum will be open to the public 1-3 PM immediately after the ceremony.

Penn Treaty Park to Haverford College

 I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. – Wm Penn    

Our group at Tamanend statue.

Leaving a rose at the footsteps of Wm Penn.

Under the Elm Tree in Haverford, Pa

Under Elm Tree in Haverford College.

Planting of a Peace Elm Tree.

 Love is indeed Heaven upon Earth; since Heaven above would not be Heaven without it: For where there is not Love; there is Fear: But perfect Love casts out Fear.

Love is above all; and when it prevails in us all, we shall all be Lovely, and in Love with God and one with another. – Wm Penn

Holding his dream in his heart, William Penn sighted the Delaware Bay in 1682 and arrived at Shackamaxon, where he was greeted by its inhabitants, Lenape Indians.
It was here, next to the gently flowing waters of the Delaware River, and under the shade of Great Elm tree William Penn entered into the Great Treaty with Chief Tamanend.
Those two leaders made a covenant of peace, love and friendship with one another. A powerful commitment witnessed before heaven and earth. It spoke of Faith and Unity, and it spoke of Hope.

Rediscovering the SEED of Peace

To raise awareness of the significance of Chief Tamanend, William Penn’s Treaty of Friendship and its principals of social justice, peace, liberty, freedom, and mutual respect, while connecting the history of our past to the events of present day, the Trail of Hope brings together universal truths among humankind.
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Here is a schedule of this Celebration of Hope:

It will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012. It’s open to All and All are welcome.

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8:30am — Gathering in the Penn Treaty Park.
9:00am – Leaving the Park; start of the 11 miles walk.
2:00pm – arriving at Haverford College; gathering under a descendant of the Great Elm Tree, where celebration will take place.

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Walking 11 miles is not necessary; you’re very welcome to join us at any point.
My sincere thanks to Haverford Collage Arboretum for their constant support, good heart and generosity.
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William Penn approached Chief Tamanend:
“The great Spirit, who made me and you, who rules the heavens and the earth, and who knows the innermost thoughts of men, knows that I and my friends have a hearty desire to live in peace and friendship with you.”
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Chief Tamanend declared:
“We will live in love with William Penn and his children as long as the creeks and rivers run, and while the sun and moon and stars endure.”
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Shackamaxon, present day Fishtown – Philadelphia neighborhood in pictures.

The Truly Amazing Elm Tree agreement at Shackamaxon perceived right before heaven and earth William Penn and Chief Tamanend representing their unique nations, created the understanding of peacefulness, friendship along with love. This assembly was not to trade or even acquire any territory but to rejoice and confirm the friendly relationship of love and dedication. Next towards the moving rich waters of the Delaware River and beneath the outstretched boughs of a Great Elm tree has been recognized what has been known as the Great Treaty.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Reviewing out of books relates this history regarding the agreement created among these two nations as:

Great Elm Tree at Haverford Collage

There endures just the basic oral custom concerning the actual Great Elm, and the certain recollections associated with an aged woman that stated to have got seen the actual event as a youthful young lady. The woman recalled it strongly not due to the fact she recognized at the time its historic importance: parleys with the Indians had been frequent situations on the frontier in those days.                               She remembered it clearly due to the fact Penn had been the handsomest person she had ever before experienced, prior to or even since. This woman furthermore informed of the special event following the actual agreement formalities concluded. The attractive Penn had been wondrous, his state of mind overflowing. He consumed the Indian meals with relish, and settled to learn their own language so he could communicate with his brand new friends personally.

And then something remarkable occurred that created the night even more unforgettable to the young girl. The Indians started dancing in celebration, to jump as well as jump with the throb of the drums, and to whoop and chant their particular unusual sounds.                                        

Ultimately Penn could contain himself no longer. no occasion for dismal sternness. Then there he was, amazingly, there was Governor William Penn up dancing with the Indians, bouncing and screaming and wiggling as if trying to be more Indian than the Indians.

Turning from the wonder of the young lady at this good looking gentleman dancing with abandon, we can just picture the actual surprise of Penn’s party at this particular break of decorum. Had Penn completely taken depart of his senses?

For short lived time a few must have worried that Penn would remove off his garments to totally free his braches. 

There was a time for dignity, and a time for ecstasy. 

It is this agreement, the particular covenant created among these two nations that became a witness and an instance towards the nations when these two individuals’ communities accepted each other beneath the Great Elm on the banks of the awesome Delaware River: the Indians and the white man. 

This had been a strong precedent which kept within its Genetics a value of all individuals. It talked of trust and unity. It spoke of hope. This has been the creating blocks of independence.

These two nations, represented by their particular leaders, William Penn and Chief Tamanend, created a agreement of peace, friendship and love, one with the other. An important strong dedication was exchanged face to face and heart to heart. It was the required component needed for maintaining both these nations together within a enduring relationship of common admiration and love.

Of this Great Treaty, Voltaire, the French author stated: “the only league made between those nations which was never sworn to by oath, and never violated.”

Let’s celebrate; March 24 will mark first anniversary of the Trail of Hope.                                                                                                      Everybody is invited to join me in a commemorating walk this day from Penn Treaty Park to the descendent of Great Elm in Haverford. (11 miles)

Much more information to follow…. Come one, come all … Let’s Celebrate!

Back to the Penn Treaty Park

           It has been almost a full month since I completed the Trail of Hope. I am still having a difficult time adjusting. My mind keeps rewinding back to memories of walking and the Trail in general. Recently I worked on organizing all of the photographs I took along the way. It was wonderful revisiting the many different sites of the Trail.

            Since I have been back in Philadelphia, I’ve taken a few walks down to Penn Treaty Park. It was a great feeling to be able to walk on those grounds which helped build inspiration and origins for the Trail. It will always remain a very special park to me as well as generations of Fishtown residents who frequent the historic riverside area.

            The community is making great strides in preserving and maintaining the park. Last evening, the Friends of Penn Treaty Park hosted the 6^th annual “Champagne in the Park” event. Residents and friends gathered to enjoy champagne and share in each other’s company while financially supporting the maintenance of Penn Treaty Park. I attended the event and enjoyed talking and connecting with the wonderful people who want to support this special piece of history any way they can.

            In the continuing tradition of fostering community, the Fishtown Neighbors Association will be hosting the 4^th annual RiverCity Festival on Saturday, October 1^st from 12pm to 5pm at Penn Treaty Park. The event will feature local food, beer, vendors and family activities.

It is important to recognize that the values of Penn’s Treaty of Love, Peace, and Amity still radiate throughout the Philadelphia area today.

   2000  MILE WALK  on            the Trail of Hope

     Contact:  Peter Prusinowski

      Phone: 215 – 764 – 0260                            email:  ImageWhisperer@gmail.com

To raise awareness of the significance of Chief Tamanend,  William Penn’s Treaty of Friendship and its principals of social justice, peace, liberty, freedom, and mutual respect, while connecting the history of our past to the events of present day, the Trail of Hope brings together universal truths among humankind.

A 2,000 mile walk lasting for eight months will begin on March 23. There will be no corporate sponsors and no cars following with supplies. Peter Prusinowski, a  resident   of Fishtown, will leave Penn Treaty Park at 9 a.m. to begin a solo journey.

Armed with his cameras, his walk will trace the Lenape Indian migration from the Delaware Valley to Bartlesville, Oklahoma and highlight events along the way on what he is calling “The Trail of Hope.”

Prusinowski  came  to the United States from Poland in 1976. His love of history and a discovery of the world of photography merged and began to shape his new life. The story of William Penn and Tamanend and their 1682 Treaty of Friendship became part of what he feels is his destiny. “My desire to spread the life altering elements of love, peace and friendship among humanities mirrored the very intentions of William Penn in 1682 along the riverbank in the same neighborhood I immigrated to.” 

Prusinowski views the walk as a journey of sharing, discovery and reflection. He will take along still and video cameras to preserve the stories he will hear along the way. He will tell his own story about finding purpose in one’s life and how together we can make a difference in our world. He will photograph sites that tell of the past and the present. Ultimately, the photographs of his experiences on the Trail of Hope will be presented in an exhibit to inspire peace, love and hope for future generations.

His route will take him across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas to Oklahoma. In addition to his cameras, he will carry only a cell phone, laptop computer and a small backpack. He plans to walk about 20 miles a day and then will stop at night along the way. “I believe that the gentle shadow of the Great Elm Tree’s canopy will follow me along this trail, like an eagle protecting me under its wings,” he said.

Prusinowski has established a blog   www.TrailOfHopeBlog.com  about his journey. He will update it as he walks. The Penn Treaty Museum, an online museum (penntreatymuseum.org), will also maintain contact with him.

On March 23 from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. a ceremony will take place in Penn Treaty Park to start Peter  Prusinowski’s  journey   at the site of the Treaty of Friendship. The park is located at 1188 N. Delaware Avenue and Columbia Ave. in Fishtown.