East Falls in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

William Penn Charter School

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2022

1. William Penn Charter School Marker

Inscription. Founded by Philadelphia Quakers in 1689 and first chartered by Penn in 1701, it was Pennsylvania's first public school and is the oldest continuously operating Friends school in the world. Pioneering educational initiatives were based on public charity and inclusion: free tuition to the poor, education for both genders, and acceptance of all races. Quaker roots and Penn's vision have been maintained. It moved to the present site in 1925.

Erected 2015 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1689.

Location. 40° 1.388′ N, 75° 11.294′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in East Falls. It is on West School House Lane just west of Cherry Lane, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3015 W School House Ln, Philadelphia PA 19129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Kelly Family

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Ten Box Shelter (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battle of Germantown (approx. 0.4 miles away); Forbidden Drive (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Main Continental Army (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wissahickon Valley Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sailor Grove Stormwater Wetland (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2022

2. William Penn Charter School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.