William Penn Statue to Stay in Part Due to Indigenous Objections

By Isaac White.

PHILADEPHIA, PA – The ongoing discussions about the renovation of Philadelphia’s Welcome Park, slated for completion by 2026, have unveiled a nuanced perspective from Native American tribal representatives regarding the statue of William Penn, the British colonist and founder of Pennsylvania. The renovation, aligned with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, is part of the National Park Service’s (NPS) efforts to revitalize historic sites.

William Penn, who arrived in present-day Philadelphia in 1682 after being granted a vast tract of land by King Charles II, represents a complex chapter in American history. His arrival marked the displacement of Dutch colonialists by the English and initiated a series of interactions with the Native American populations.

In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, the NPS consulted various tribes, including the Haudenosaunee, Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, Shawnee Tribe, and Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. These consultations aimed to incorporate the tribes’ perspectives and histories in the park’s redesign, given their ancestral ties to the land colonized by Penn’s settlement.

Jeremy Johnson, director of cultural education for the Delaware Tribe of Indians, conveyed to NBC Philadelphia that removing Penn’s statue was not a major topic in these discussions. Instead, the focus was on creating an exhibit that would spotlight the rich culture, history, and traditions of the Native Americans who inhabited the area long before Penn’s arrival. Johnson’s comments highlight the tribes’ desire to prioritize their own historical narratives over the debate surrounding Penn’s statue.

The park’s proposed redesign includes the replacement of Penn’s life timeline with panels dedicated to indigenous history, the addition of native plants and trees, and the installation of circular benches to enhance its welcoming ambiance. This approach indicates a shift towards a more inclusive and holistic representation of the area’s history.

Ben Barnes, chief of the Shawnee Tribe, provided a different viewpoint, opposing the statue’s removal. Barnes underscored Penn’s historical significance as an ally to Native Americans, particularly the Shawnee. “William Penn was an ally of the Shawnee,” Barnes stated. “As long as he lived, he kept his promise. Of all the terrible human beings that inflicted tragedy upon Native peoples, I don’t put William Penn in that category.”

Historians note that Penn’s dealings with Native Americans were notably more diplomatic than those of other colonists. His approach set him apart from the more aggressive colonial regimes in the Chesapeake and New England, which frequently resorted to armed conflict. However, despite Penn’s comparatively peaceful methods, his actions still contributed to the dispossession of Native lands, adding complexity to his legacy.

The initial proposal to remove the statue faced significant public backlash, leading the National Park Service to withdraw the idea swiftly. This response reflects the broader national debate on how historical figures are commemorated in public spaces. Pennsylvania’s top Republican lawmaker, Bryan Cutler, criticized the proposal as an “absurd and revisionist view of our state’s history.”

Welcome Park, named after the ship that brought William Penn to Philadelphia, occupies the site of one of his former homes. The park’s historical significance extends beyond Penn’s colonial endeavors. In 1755, John Penn, William Penn’s grandson, gifted the land to the Haudenosaunee for diplomatic and trade purposes. Despite this, the park has largely overlooked its Native American connections.

The National Park Service’s renovation plans aim to address this oversight by expanding the interpretation of Philadelphia’s Native American history. This initiative represents an effort to balance the representation of Penn’s colonial legacy with the longstanding history of the Indigenous people of the area.

The controversy surrounding the statue’s proposed removal underscores the challenges in reconciling different historical narratives. While many view Penn as a symbol of enlightenment and religious tolerance, his actions as a colonizer had lasting impacts on Native American communities. Tribes have historically invoked Penn’s name in treaty negotiations, seeking to hold colonial governors accountable to the promises and agreements made by Penn.

The swift reaction to the proposal, which reached as high as President Joe Biden and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s office, demonstrates the sensitivities involved in historical representation. The decision to retain the William Penn statue marks a turning point in the ongoing conversation about how America’s history is memorialized.

As Welcome Park prepares for the significant anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the inclusion of expanded Native American history alongside Penn’s story offers a more comprehensive and inclusive narrative.