The National Park Service (NPS) retracted its proposal to remove the statue of William Penn from a historical site in Philadelphia as part of a renovation project.
Legacy Concerns Drive Decision
The NPS decision came after severe criticism was received regarding the legacy of the man who established the province of Pennsylvania.
Welcome Park’s 2026 Renovation
In a statement on Jan 15, NPS wrote, “The National Park Service remains committed to rehabilitating Welcome Park as the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.”
Future Plans for Welcome Park
“Upon completion of all the necessary internal reviews, the park looks forward to engaging in a robust public process to consider options for refurbishing the park in the coming years,” the statement added.
INHP Confirmed the Withdrawal of Renovation Proposal
Independence National Historical Park (INHP) confirmed the withdrawal of their proposal to renovate Welcome Park, located near iconic sites like the Liberty Bell and the National Constitution Center, in a brief statement.
Premature Proposal
The park officials admitted that the proposal to dismantle the statue was released prematurely without comprehensive internal review.
No Changes to Penn Statue
They clarified, “No changes to the William Penn statue are planned.” The motives behind the initial proposal to remove the statue were not disclosed.
Expansion and Controversy
The renovation plan included enhancing the narrative of Philadelphia’s Native American history and repairing the park’s infrastructure.
The idea of removing the statue of William Penn was seen as potentially igniting debates over the portrayal of U.S. history in monuments.
Removal Decision Sparks Social Media Critique
The decision to remove the statue garnered a deluge of criticism, with thousands of comments posted on social media, where the public was invited to submit their feedback on a dedicated website for two weeks.
“Thank You for Doing the Right Thing”
One user on X expressed, “Good! Now please fire whoever came up with this idea,” in response to INHP’s update. Another said, “Thank you for doing the right thing.”
Historical Background
Welcome Park, where the statue stands, is built on the site of Penn’s residence, known as the Slate Roof House, which was demolished during the 1800s.
Park Named After Penn’s Ship
The park is named after the ship that transported William Penn from England to Philadelphia in 1682.
Penn Founded Pennsylvania in 1681
Penn established Pennsylvania after King Charles II granted him a charter for more than 45,000 square miles of land in 1681.
Canelling William Penn
Pennsylvania’s leading Republican representative, Bryan Cutler, criticized President Biden, alleging attempts to “cancel” William Penn and labeling it as a pursuit of “wokeism”.
Senseless Interpretation of History
Cutler referred to the removal of the statue as another instance of the left in the country resorting to a senseless interpretation of history.
Governor Shapiro Claims Credit
State’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro claimed credit for the NPS’s change of course, stating that “my team has been in contact with the Biden Administration throughout the day to correct this decision.”
Scholar on Penn’s Quaker Values and the Statue
Andrew Murphy, a professor at the University of Michigan and a biographer of Penn, noted Penn’s Quaker values, suggesting Penn might have been ambivalent about the statue.
King Charles II Suggested the Name
Murphy also shared that Penn, known for his modest Quaker lifestyle, did not seek to name Pennsylvania after himself, a decision by King Charles II to honor his father.
Penn’s Possible Ambivalence
Murphy states, “It may or may not make a difference, but the idea of there being a statue of Penn himself strikes me as something that Penn himself might have been quite ambivalent about.”
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