Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

of the Religious Society of Friends

Quaker history

‘Liberating the Archives: Stories of Enslavement and Incarceration’ Webinar

Written on:

Join Stenton, the 339 Manumissions Project and the Graterford Archive at Haverford College on Zoom for a moderated discussion, mapping the intertwined histories of enslavement and mass incarceration in Philadelphia and Quakers’ involvement in these activities. Learn about what these organizations are doing to bring Black history out of the archives, and what you can do to help. This program will be offered live on Zoom webinar. A recording will be available following the program on Stenton’s website.

ABOUT 339 MANUMISSIONS & BEYOND PROJECT:

The 339 Manumission and Beyond Project is a reparative, spirit-led, genealogical search to uncover the lives and family trees of the 339 Africans who were granted their freedom by members of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Quakers, once it was decided that Quakers could not be enslavers. Learn more here.

ABOUT STENTON:

Stenton is one of the earliest historic houses in Philadelphia. It was completed in 1730 as a country-seat planation house for James Logan, a Quaker merchant, and secretary to William Penn. Stenton was home to six generations of Logans and a diverse community of enslaved, indentured, and free laborers, including Dinah, who lived and labored at Stenton for over 50 years. Learn more here.

ABOUT THE GRATERFORD ARCHIVE:

The Graterford archive project, led by currently and formerly incarcerated partners in collaboration with Haverford College faculty and staff, will share the history of creative leadership that emerged from the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution at Graterford [open from 1929 to 2018]. his digital archive will be developed and activated through community practice, including oral history and storytelling workshops, installations, and art-making collaborations with justice-impacted families. Learn more here.

Key Points on the Quaker Suit Against the Department of Homeland Security

Written on:

Below is essential information about the lawsuit. This may be helpful to Friends in PYM for their own understanding and for discussing the case with others, including local media.

[Read more…] about Key Points on the Quaker Suit Against the Department of Homeland Security

Selden Smith’s Call to Serve as Rising Clerk

Written on:

Selden Smith has been a part of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting community for his whole life, bringing care, humor, and dedication to his work among Friends. Selden shared his reflections on his journey with Quakerism, his unexpected call to serve as Rising Clerk, and his hopes for the future of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. He highlights the importance of recognizing the gifts and talents within our community—both in ourselves and in others—and how these contributions sustain and strengthen the work we share as Friends.

[Read more…] about Selden Smith’s Call to Serve as Rising Clerk

Fellowships at Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections 2025-2026

Written on:

Applications for short-term Fellowships in Quaker & Special Collections at Haverford College are NOW OPEN! Fellowships must be used between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Submission deadline is February 16, 2025. You can find more information on our website, which also includes our application form.

Fellows can utilize the vast array of original primary materials in Quaker & Special Collections around Quakerism, mental health, US history, and much more.

Please contact Sarah Horowitz at shorowitz@haverford.edu with any questions.

Image is of the diaries of Anna Spencer.

Forum: “The Radical Theology and Spiritual Experience of Early Friends”

Written on:

On Sunday, November 24, Swarthmore Meeting member Marcelle Martin will offer a forum on “The Radical Theology and Spiritual Experience of Early Friends.”
    The first Quakers lived in a time of great social and religious turmoil, when many new ideas about Christianity and new practices were being expounded by many different groups.  When Quakerism arose in the mid-seventeenth century in England, the Quakers were the most original and radical on the theological spectrum, emphasizing that each person has a direct connection with divine guidance and offering group practices to make it easier to hear that guidance.  After decades of intense persecution, Quakers pulled back on some of their most radical ideas and stopped speaking about some of their extraordinary experiences.  Because they bowed to social pressure in this way, the radical Quaker tradition survived and still thrives today.  But now it’s time to reclaim the more radical aspects of the original Quaker theology.  The full truth in Quaker faith is needed to face the challenges of our time.
    The forum will be held from 11:45 am to 1 pm in Whittier Room at Swarthmore Friends Meeting.  It is free to attend and all are welcome.
 
No preparation is required.  For those interested in doing some background reading about the first Quakers, however, either before or after the forum, you can find three recent articles by Marcelle in Friends Journal, in print or online:
“The Radical Original Vision of George Fox” (June/July 2024 issue) https://www.friendsjournal.org/the-radical-original-vision-of-george-fox/
“The Glory of God Was Revealed,” about healing miracles associated with the first Quakers (March 2024 issue) https://www.friendsjournal.org/the-glory-of-god-was-revealed/  
and “Quaker Dreams” (an examination of how Quakers have used dreams as pathways to inner wisdom) (February 2024 issue)   https://www.friendsjournal.org/quaker-dreams/ 
Marcelle is also the author of two books and three Pendle Hill pamplets about Quaker spirituality.  For four years she was the resident Quaker Studies teacher at Pendle Hill, and since 1996 she has traveled extensively around the country leading workshops and retreats at Quaker meetings, retreat centers, and FGC summer Gatherings.  Her blog is A Whole Heart (https://awholeheart.com/)  She lives in Chester, PA with her husband, Terry, who serves as the first editor of almost all of her writing.
Some printed copies of the June/July Friends Journal issue are available in the Swarthmore meeting office.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

The Quaker City: A Walking Tour of Old City

Written on:

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Founding Fathers’ tour! Perfect for Friends or visitors seeking a different side of Philly history, this walking tour highlights important Quaker sites in Old City.

The tour starts at Arch Street Meeting House, then continues to the Betsy Ross House, and on to Welcome Park, the site of William Penn’s first residence in Philadelphia. After snaking our way through Independence National Historical Park, the group will stop at various other sites with a Quaker twist.

 

Arch Street Meeting House

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

Providence Friends Meeting 340th Anniversary

Written on:

There will be a short program from 11:00–11:30 a.m., followed by a Treasure Map Tour and a garden lunch. Rain means the inside garden! Everyone will receive a “treasure map” to use to visit different displays throughout the meetinghouse and grounds. Highlights include our Underground Railroad “station,” the work we are doing to mitigate the effects of climate change, and our ongoing efforts to promote peace and racial justice.

Haddonfield Friends Meeting: Open House and Graveyard Tour

Written on:

Haddonfield Friends Meeting is holding an open house this Saturday. Learn about the birth of Haddonfield and the remarkable story of the borough’s founder, Elizabeth Haddon. Visit the historic graveyard, including her (presumed) resting place. Three hundred years of history await your discovery! 

This event is part of the Camden County History Alliance’s annual “History Month,” with more than 30 historical sites hosting activities between October 1-31 across the county. These activities include exhibits, re-enactments, and guided tours; most are free. A complete guide to all the activities can be found at: https://cchsnj.org/history-month/

Update your contact & Meeting information at pym.org/updates

© 2025 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting · Privacy Policy