Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Quaker History

Historic Quaker Treasures Added to Unprecedented Digital Archival Effort

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18th century manumissions and 17th century burial records are among tens of thousands of early Quaker documents recently added to a major digitization project spearheaded by Christ Church Preservation Trust. Contributed by Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges, these records will be available to free online access for the first time.

The “Digitizing Philadelphia’s Historic Congregational Records” project began two years ago, when the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) awarded a Hidden Collections grant to Christ Church Preservation Trust. The $385,000 award — funded by the Andrew Mellon Foundation — allowed the Trust to digitize the records of eleven of Philadelphia’s historic congregations, including the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Gloria Dei, Christ Church, Mikveh Israel, the First, Second and Third Presbyterian Churches, St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s Episcopal Churches, St. George’s Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church. [Read more…] about Historic Quaker Treasures Added to Unprecedented Digital Archival Effort

Willits Book Trust Participates in A Community Reading of Frederick Douglass’ July 4 Speech

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As a representative of the Willits Book Trust Committee, a grantmaking group of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Lisa Stewart Garrison, a member of Greenwich Friends Meeting in Salem Quarter, was invited to take part in a community reading of Frederick Douglass’ “4th of July Speech” sponsored by the National Park Service and the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

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Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust Welcomes Sean Connolly as Executive Director

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The Board of Trustees of Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Connolly as its new Executive Director, beginning June 9, 2020.

Sean comes to the Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust from Pennsbury Manor, where he oversaw the Education Department. Formerly, he was the Assistant Director for Historic Philadelphia Inc.’s Once Upon A Nation program and the Executive Director of the Manayunk Theatre Company. He has also taught in the Department of History at Drexel University. [Read more…] about Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust Welcomes Sean Connolly as Executive Director

Quaker Farms – Then and Now

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Not long ago, a typed narrative from a transcribed letter written by a Quaker farmer in “Chester Township” Pennsylvania showed up in some files. It was dated 10th month, 1725, and began “Dear Sister Mary Valentine, this goes with a salutation of love to thee, brother Thomas, and the children…”

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News from 1652 Country, England

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This story was adapted from an email distributed by Terry Winterton, the Friend in Residence at Glenthorne’s guest house in Grasmere, Great Britain. Anyone who has read William Wordsworth will know that the walks, hillsides, and lakes in this region were powerful sources of inspiration for Wordsworth’s poetry. They also charm Quaker travelers seeking to access Pendle Hill, Swarthmore Hall, and the rural country roads and fells (mountains and hills) walked by George Fox in 1652. All are featured in this short film. (Interested educators can teach this history to children though Faith & Play Stories on George Fox and Margaret Fell.) The region also serves international hikers and nature lovers from around the world.

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Women Quaker Artists: Dame Judi Dench, Bonnie Raitt, Sandra Boynton and Signe Wilkinson

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Today, Quakers are known to be actively involved in the creative and performing arts community; they are artists, actors, musicians, and lend their meetinghouses for art shows and performances.

It wasn’t always like this–George Fox (whose powerful vocal ministry sparked the Quaker faith in 1652) was against ornamentation in religion and viewed it as a distraction. Theater, dance, and musical performances were seen as leading Friends away from an investment in faith and virtuous reflection.

Over the years, that reality has evolved. Among many respected artists, Quaker artists have made a pronounced impact in their fields with their artistic abilities.

[Read more…] about Women Quaker Artists: Dame Judi Dench, Bonnie Raitt, Sandra Boynton and Signe Wilkinson

Quaker History: Clive Sansom, Ursula Franklin, Gordon Hirabayashi, and Lizzie Magie

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Friends in Quaker history have strong foundations and beliefs centered around faith. Many Friends also inspired and had a significant impact on important movements in world history and even influenced game design. But there are also lesser-known Quakers who touched others through their contributions to art, science, and sociology.

Some stories follow:

[Read more…] about Quaker History: Clive Sansom, Ursula Franklin, Gordon Hirabayashi, and Lizzie Magie

Travel & Witness Grant Report: Friends Reflect on Travel in Ghana

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In August of 2019, Vanessa Julye of Central Philadelphia Meeting led a group of Quakers to Ghana to explore the histories of Ghana and the United States. The trip, part of Vanessa’s 25-year ministry to address White Supremacy within the Religious Society of Friends, provided people of all races an opportunity to have critical conversations about history.

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Quaker History: Maria Mitchell, the First Female Astronomer in the USA

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The astronomer and educator, Maria Mitchell, was born in 1818 and grew up in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Raised in a Quaker family of ten children, she and her siblings were encouraged to learn and question by their astronomer father and librarian mother. This climate of inquiry and scientific training led Maria to become the first professional female astronomer in the United States.

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Making a Difference: Black Quaker History

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February is Black History Month and there are Quakers of color who have delivered much to our modern world through their faith and advocacy. Knowing the past opens a door to the future that is framed within diversity and inclusivity. Our understanding of America’s history is deepened by the contributions of African Americans who struggled for freedom and equality.

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