PICTURE CAPTION: Thomas Roy Smith portrays William Penn during the city of Chester’s celebration to commemorate the 338th anniversary of Penn’s Landing.
Office of Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: Aigner Cleveland
Press Secretary
Chester Celebrates 338th Anniversary of William Penn’s Landing
(CHESTER, PA) – Chester City officials today celebrated the 338th anniversary of William Penn’s landing.
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, a representative from state Rep. Brian Kirkland’s office, members of the Chester Historical Society, and several residents joined Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland and Councilwoman Elizabeth Williams for a short program to commemorate the anniversary.
Due to inclement weather, the celebration, which is usually held at the Penn Monument and Landing Site on Front and Penn Streets in Chester, was moved to Chester City Hall’s Community Room.
Councilwoman Williams, Director of the Parks and Recreation department and a Chester history enthusiast took lead in organizing the event, in partnership with the Chester Historical Society. “William Penn landed here in Chester,” said Councilwoman Williams. “I take pride in facilitating this event because people need to be reminded of our history as the first city in this state.”
Mayor Kirkland and Congresswoman Scanlon both offered remarks during the celebration. Other program participants provided attendees with facts and highlights surrounding William Penn’s life and landing in Chester, including historical reenactments by Carol Fireng and Thomas Roy Smith who portrayed Hannah Callowhill Penn and William Penn, respectively.
On October 29, 1682, William Penn sailed along the Delaware River and landed on the shores of the only town in the province, then known as Upland. The monument at the William Penn Landing Site in Chester is located along Front and Penn Streets.