HistoricSiteMarkers
Colonial AmericaAmerican Revolution

Pennsylvania

Springfield Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania

Marker Inscription

Founded 1681 by William Penn as a Quaker Commonwealth. Birthplace of THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE and THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

The Story

William Penn founded Pennsylvania in 1681 as a Quaker commonwealth built on religious tolerance and self-government, an experiment that drew settlers of many faiths to the Delaware Valley. Within a century that colony became the setting where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were written. This state-line marker greets travelers with that founding heritage.

Why it matters

Pennsylvania was both a bold colonial experiment in liberty of conscience and the birthplace of the documents that founded the nation.

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Related people

  • ยท William Penn

Related events

  • ยท Founding of Pennsylvania

Themes & tags

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