William Penn Day at New Castle Court House Museum

The English Quaker and colonial founder, William Penn was named Absolute Proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania by King Charles II in 1681 when the monarch paid off a debt owed to Penn’s father by gifting him the parcel of land. To secure coastal access for the otherwise landlocked state Penn appealed to the King’s brother, the Duke of York, to secure the territory that is today known as Delaware. Penn was later instrumental in laying the groundwork for Delaware to separate from Pennsylvania, enabling the three lower Counties to form a government, and setting Delaware up to become an independent state, the First State.

Penn first landed in the city of New Castle, Delaware on October 27, 1682. Upon his arrival, Penn took part in a ceremony called the Livery of Seizin which was meant to symbolize the transfer of possession of the area. He was given a tuft of grass, symbolizing his ownership of the terrain; a bowl of water, representing ownership of the area waters; and twig, representing ownership of the land’s bounty.

In commemoration of this historic event, Historical and Cultural Affairs’ New Castle Court House Museum will host special programing on Saturday, October 24 beginning at 10 a.m.

• At 10 a.m. Staff Educator from The Iron Hill Science Center will kick off the day with a discussion on the indigenous populations and their native environs that Penn encountered in 1682. 

• At 2 p.m. the Suzuki Academy of the Delaware Music School contrasts this lecture, enthralling visitors with the European classical form of Baroque music popular among colonial settlers.

• In addition to these two special programs, the museum will be open for tours and further exploration of the rich history of the building, where Delaware established independent statehood and site of Delaware’s first state capital.

• Public tours are available from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:30-4:30 p.m.