Celebrate PA History on Charter Day Sunday, March 8th

Help celebrate the Commonwealth’s 345th birthday this Sunday, March 8, with special programming at several of the state’s museums and historic sites.

Pennsylvania was established when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in March 1681. The 345-year-old charter, often referred to as Pennsylvania’s birth certificate, is written on parchment using iron gall ink. The Pennsylvania State Archives preserves the document in a high-security vault, shielding it from strong light and environmental fluctuations.

At the State Museum in Harrisburg this Sunday, guests can visit hands-on stations to learn about William Penn, view a replica of the Penn Charter and explore colonial life. Admission is free at the museum on March 8 from noon to 4:30 p.m. Learn more here.

Several other sites on the state’s Trails of History are offering free admission and/or special programming in honor of the Commonwealth’s birthday. Click here for information!