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.
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.
Let’s Celebrate that Hope.
Rediscovering the SEED of Peace
The 1st. anniversary of the 2000 MILE WALK on The Trail of Hope.
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!
The Galleries at The Gershman Y 401 S. Broad st. Philadelphia, Pa 19147
“Corporeal” & “Trail of Hope”
RECEPTION: – THURSDAY, JANUARY- 19, from 6-8pm
January 6 – February 19, 2012
Alumni artists from The Center for Emerging Visual Artists:
Maria Anasazi, Susan Benarcik, Ava Blitz, Brooke Hine, and Leslie Speicher
Photographs of an amazing walk to Olkahoma: Peter Prusinowski
a.k.a., Image Whisperer
Almost three years ago, an idea came to me from the depths of my heart. After being involved with the Lenape Indians, Penn Treaty Park and the Penn Treaty Park Museum, I felt a certain connection, uniting my present associations with an understanding in my past. Growing up, I was always inspired by William Penn’s Treaty of Amity and Friendship. I too, wanted to spread the values of love, peace and amity to all walks of life I encountered.
When the idea for the Trail of Hope came to me, I felt that the decision to walk 2,000 miles tracing the migration path of the Lenni-Lenape Indians was already decided for me. My heart showed me a destination and it was up to me to figure out how to get there. I spent two and a half years planning the Trail. I studied maps, learned important Lenape history, and prepared physically and mentally to undertake this journey of a lifetime. Then the day I had been waiting for finally came.
On March 23rd, in the midst of a light drizzle, I began my journey after a special sendoff under the comforting branches of the Great Elm. I happily walked in the rain, 11 miles to Haverford, the home of the oldest and closest living descendent of the Great Elm Tree.
From there I walked westward though Pennsylvania. Almost immediately I encountered snow. My terrain went from rolling hills to intense mountains. The snow gave way to a consistent rain. I began to face the challenging elements that the Lenape also faced on their journey. Despite the elements, I enjoyed visiting various historical sites, forts and battlefields throughout Pennsylvania.
In April I crossed into Ohio where I encountered several “interesting” motels, was nearly killed by an angry man at a bar, and had to walk in the rain almost every day. I spent some time paying my respects at the site of the Gnadenhutten Massacre in Newcomerstown. I explored many small towns and villages along the way. By early May, I had grown a rather wild beard and continued to trek through intense thunderstorms and unrelenting rain.
When I reached Indiana in mid-May, I received a surprise of a lifetime. While walking down a road surrounded by fields, I came face to face with a wolf. At first I feared he might attack me, but gradually my mind and body felt as if a blanket of peace and safety had washed over me. This beast and I gazed into each others eyes until he let out a long mournful howl and we set off in opposite directions. My unique encounter with this beast surprises me to this day.
Near the end of May, I reached the 1,000 mile point. My buddy John Connors flew out to Indiana to share that special milestone with me. Shortly after this milestone, I wasn’t sure if I’d reach another one. As I was heading to Layfayette, Indiana, I got caught in a horrendous storm. The wind could literally lift me off of the ground. I clung to a tree for dear life until a Good Samaritan invited me into his home until the storm had passed.
May rolled into June, I crossed into Indiana and the heat started to rise. Little did I know just how hot the weather could get once I reached the last legs of the Trail. Before I headed to St. Louis Missouri, I was privileged to have another visitor. My daughter, Violet, flew out to walk with me to St. Louis and explore the city for a few days. She helped me get rid of my beard, which was becoming a nuisance in the heat. Her visit came at a great time, for her presence was able to renew my spirit and refresh my soul.
As I walked through the heat in Missouri, I felt called to spread hope in a different way. After some phone calls, I got connected with a church in Joplin, Missouri and was able to spend a week assisting the clean up and recovery process after a devastating tornado leveled the area. The week I spent in Joplin was one of the most fruitful weeks on the Trail. I met so many wonderful people and despite the fact the temperature exceeded 100 degrees almost everyday, I loved every minute I spent there. I found it hard to leave and continue on my way but was grateful and humbled that I was able to lend a small hand in restoring hope in a ravaged community.
The final month and a half on the Trail proved to be the hardest. The sun shone down brightly each and every day, bringing crippling heat and humidity. I would set out at 6am and by 10am my water was as hot as tea. My mind stopped working, my legs didn’t want to move forward, and at times I’d walk 30 miles in these conditions just to reach my motel for the night. The terrain was made up of endless stretches of land and fields with little civilization in between.
By the end of July I had crossed into Kansas. I visited the Shawnee Indian Mission and the Haskell Indian Nations University. My walks began at 3am and ended mid to late in the day. It was all I could do to survive the dangerously hot conditions.
Now I am within days of walking to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Four and a half months and 2,000 miles later, the Trail of Hope is coming to a close. I’m honored that this idea came to me and I could pay tribute to the Lenape Indians. I am grateful that I could share the Trail with everyone I met along the way and spread hope to all different walks of life. I hope that today, different cultures can live in peace together and that my Trail has lit a flame of hope in the hearts of those I encountered.
Love , Peace , Amity
Yesterday I crossed the Mississippi River into Missouri at the same place where the Indians were forced to cross many years ago. The river itself is extremely overflowing from all the rain and recent flooding. However I was able to make it across safely.
After I crossed to the Missouri side of the river I found some elements of nature to construct a small raft. Using flowers and brush from a nearby field, I laced together this small tribute to commemorate the Trail of Hope to Love, Peace and Amity. It was a small tribute placed at the junction of many Indian trails of the past such as the Trail of Tears.
This raft, as I like to call it, also served as a reminder of William Penn and Chief Tamanend’s harmonious treaty which established a great peace among two different cultures.
This part of the Trail served as a very important and moving location for me. From the very beginning I had a strong feeling that crossing the Mississippi would prove to be a significant element of the journey.
I watched the raft float down the river and hoped that love, peace and amity could exist around the world and float continuously throughout society. At that moment, I felt distinctly connected to the great Mississippi River. Finally, I turned to continue my walk through Missouri.
I found myself walking along a dirt and gravel road when something caught my eye. Right above me, circling in the sky, was a great and majestic eagle. It flew over my head several times before departing to its unknown destination. During this experience, I also felt incredibly connected to the Trail and was filled with hope and energy.
It seemed to me that there were many symbols making themselves present throughout my walk yesterday. They inspired and invigorated me to enjoy those unique moments when one can connect with nature.
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