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Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Arch Street Meeting House

Museum and Place of Worship

— Quaker Historic Site and Burial Ground —

 
 
Arch Street Meeting House Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022
1. Arch Street Meeting House Marker
Inscription.
Where does the name Quaker come from?
Quaker was originally a nickname to describe how worshipers would "quake" when the spirit moved them during worship.

Why are there so many Quakers in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania was founded as a Quaker colony in 1682.

Who are Arch Meeting House's Quakers?
Like all Quakers, the people who worship here believe in equality, simplicity, social justice and a direct personal connection with God. This Quaker community has roots dating back to William Penn and the founding of Pennsylvania.

What's inside these walls?
You'll find Pennsylvania's first burial ground and a Quaker Meeting House. It is estimated between 13,000-20,000 people are buried on these grounds.

What's inside our building?
A museum and worship space. A Meeting House is a Quaker religious worship space.
 
Erected by Arch Street Meeting House.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial SitesColonial EraReligion & Religious StructuresSettlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1682.
 
Location. 39° 57.133′ 
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N, 75° 8.763′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. It is on Arch Street just west of North 3rd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Arch St, Philadelphia PA 19106, 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: Arch Street Friends (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Arch Street Meeting House (here, next to this marker); What is Quakerism? (a few steps from this marker); Friends Meeting (a few steps from this marker); History of the Philadelphia Fire Department Mural Project (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); A Revolutionary Religion / Betsy Ross / Arch Street Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Keys To Community (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
 
Arch Street Meeting House Marker with the Meeting House visible in the background image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022
2. Arch Street Meeting House Marker with the Meeting House visible in the background
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on November 20, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Jun. 16, 2026