The annual William Penn Lecture is back and better than ever! Join us at Arch Street Meeting House on Thursday, March 23rd for the newly reimagined “Annual Spring Kickoff” to celebrate our reopening for the Spring season. The evening includes a cocktail hour and presentation by John Dickinson, portrayed by friend of Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust, Doug Thomas.

Join the "Penman of the Revolution" as he discusses his role in the journey that took us from colonies to country. John Dickinson used his wit, intellect, and faith to guide his actions as one of our lesser-known Founding Fathers. Although he refused to vote for the Declaration of Independence, he was instrumental in the creation of our national government and drafted many of our founding documents, including the First Amendment.

This public devotion caused Thomas Jefferson to eulogize him, saying: "A more estimable man, or truer patriot, could not have left us. Among the first of the advocates for the rights of his country when assailed by Great Britain, he continued to the last the orthodox advocate of the true principles of our new government and his name will be consecrated in history as one of the great worthies of the revolution."

Support for this program provided by Friends Fiduciary and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.