William Penn statue being removed to make park more welcoming and inclusive

The National Park Service has plans to tear down William Penn’s statue in Welcome Park. This park was established as a nod to the 300th anniversary of Pennsylvania’s founding. The park is named after the ship that took William Penn to Pennsylvania. Despite this park’s being dedicated to William Penn’s contributions, his statue, and the Slate Roof house model, will be removed.

From The Blaze:

The National Park Service announced last week that it “proposes to rehabilitate Welcome Park to provide a more welcoming, accurate, and inclusive experience for visitors.”

“The proposed rehabilitation of Welcome Park includes expanded interpretation of the Native American history of Philadelphia and was developed in consultation with representatives of the indigenous nations of the Haudenosaunee, the Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, the Shawnee Tribe, and the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma,” the NPS proclaimed.

“The Penn statue and Slate Roof house model will be removed and not reinstalled. In a separate and future effort, new exhibit panels will be installed on the south site wall to replace the Penn timeline,” the NPS declared.

Slate Roof House was Penn’s residence in Philadelphia starting in 1699.

The public may submit comments within a 14-day period, starting on Jan. 8.

The Blaze has additional information here.

Category: Historical, Society