The Penn-Tamanend Memorial
P.O. Box 65
Media, PA 19063
ph: 267-347-3294
info
For information on the upcoming William Penn Memorial Centennial, the Penn Foundation Expo and other events, please visit the 'News and Updates' section
Welcome to The Penn-Tamanend Memorial website
...dedicated to establishing a Memorial / Museum / Education Center on Independence Mall in Philadelphia honoring those significant individuals from different cultures who shared a common interest of upholding peace and harmony among their peoples, and whose impact greatly affected the foundation of the United States of America:
William and Hannah Penn and those courageous settlers who established the 1682 'Holy Experiment' in the founding of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, and
Sakima (Chief) Tamanend III, who the pre-Revolutionary colonists called "the patron saint of America," and the Lenni Lenape natives, whose people were known as "the Grandfathers" among the other regional tribal nations and were frequently consulted in resolving tribal conflicts.
This Holy Experiment lasted for over 73 years with no wars and very little violence. The 1682 Treaty of Friendship with the Native Americans, more commonly known as The Shackamaxon Treaty, became a universal historical symbol of religious and civil liberties throughout Europe in the 18th and 19th Centuries. It is one of the very few events in American history noted for its just and fair treatment of peoples of different cultures.
The spirit of this treaty not only became a significant core value of the spiritual foundation for the United States of America -- 94 years later -- but this Holy Experiment also significantly impacted the human condition in such a way that we are still profoundly affected by it today. This Holy Experiment was also a significant catalyst for The Age of Enlightenment that blossomed throughout Europe in the late-1680s.
Both the U.S. Constitution and the Liberty Bell -- the very core of Independence Mall and primary foundation symbols for the United States -- were directly influenced by William Penn's governmental and social structures established decades before. Unfortunately William Penn's accomplishments have been relegated to being more of a historical footnote rather than his being recognized as America's most visionary founding father and one of history's most influential individuals. The Penn-Tamanend Memorial intends to rectify this concern.
Please visit our site's various informational pages, support this effort by signing the Memorial's petition, support this effort with your financial contributions, and sign up on the e-mail and postal mailing list to keep informed as this project moves forward.
Painting by Charles Willson Peale
Photo of Tamanend statue in Philadelphia by greyaenigma
From The Historical Society of Pennsylvania collection
Sakima Tamanend III was chief of the Unami (Turtle) Clan of the Lenni-Lenape during the 1680s when Pennsylvania was being established.
Moravian missionary John Gottlieb Heckewelder wrote, "The name Tamanend is held in the highest veneration by the Indians. Of all the chiefs and great men which the Lenape nation ever had, he stands foremost on the list.
...He was an ancient Delaware chief who never had his equal. He was in the highest degree endowed with wisdom, virtue, prudence, charity, affability, meekness, hospitality, in short with every good and noble qualification that a human being may possess."
Tamanend was called "the patron saint of America" by the colonists prior to the Revolution. Tammany Societies were formed throughout the East Coast and St. Tammany Day was celebrated on May 1.
For additional information about the Tamanend statue, click here.
P.O. Box 65
Media, PA 19063
ph: 267-347-3294
info
