The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) will celebrate the Commonwealth’s 343rd birthday on Sunday, March 10, with free admission to many of the historic sites and museums along the Pennsylvania Trails of History and an exhibit of William Penn’s 1681 Charter at the Pennsylvania State Archives. Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II […]
Like many in 1776, Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson had to make a choice. Should she throw in with some of her friends and side with the high ideals of individual liberty by supporting the revolution, or should she protect her property, position and husband, Henry Hugh Fergusson, and remain loyal to King George III? Was it […]
Join us on the lovely summer grounds of Graeme Park for an evening happy hour and talk on an historical topic August 2—The Quaker Response to the Civil War Four generations of the Penrose family lived at Graeme Park from 1801 – 1920. As Quakers they were morally opposed to slavery and to war. How […]
Early in the morning on July 11, 1804 two men met on the dueling grounds of Weehawken, New Jersey. When the duel was over one man was dead, the other a fugitive. As school children we all learned about that fatal duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, but do we really know what went […]
Join us on Thursday, August 17 for an evening happy hour on the lovely summer grounds of Graeme Park, and a lecture on 18th century medical practices. Any assessment of 18th c. health care, when life expectancy on both sides of the Atlantic averaged 43 years, must include people ranging from educated physicians through barbers […]
One Sunday each month from May – October, 2017 costumed volunteers will enrich the visitor experience by presenting living history activities at Graeme Park. Volunteers will interact with guests as they tour the house or grounds and will do a short presentation at 2 p.m. on the day’s topic or theme. Living History Sundays will […]
Any assessment of health care in the 18th century, when life expectancy on both sides of the Atlantic averaged about 43 years, must include personnel ranging from educated physicians through barbers and midwives to neighborhood quacks. Diseases were attributed to superstitions, to bad behavior, or inhalation of foul air. Remedies included everything from herbal extracts, […]
On Sunday, March 12 Pennsylvania will be celebrating the 336th anniversary of the granting of the founding charter to William Penn by King Charles II. The original charter was granted on March 4, 1681 in fulfillment of a debt of about 16,000 English pounds (over 2 million of today’s money) which the crown owed to […]