Quaker Historic Markers in Old City, Philadelphia

This tour was curated by: Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust

Located in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia, Arch Street Meeting House is a museum, National Historic Landmark, and active Quaker place of worship. Constructed in 1804 on two acres of land deeded by William Penn as a burial ground for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Arch Street Meeting House has had an estimated 20,000 burials occur on its historic grounds.

Arch Street Meeting House Preservation Trust (ASMHPT) preserves, operates, and interprets the meeting house and grounds which will serve to increase public understanding of the impact and continued relevance of Quakers and Quaker history.

Entries on This Tour

1. Arch Street Meeting House - Historic Marker

Inscription:"The meetinghouse was built in 1804 on a burial ground granted by William Penn in 1701. It has been continuously used as a place of worship and center for activities of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) of the Philadelphia region." Erected 1954 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

2. Betsy Ross - Historic Marker

Inscription:"Credited with making the first stars and stripes flag, Ross was a successful upholsterer. She produced flags for the government for over 50 years. As a skilled artisan, Ross represents the many women who supported their families during the Revolution and early Republic."Erected 2009 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

3. Cyrus Bustill - Historic Marker

Inscription:"Born of white, Black, and Native American descent, he bought his freedom and became a baker of bread for Revolutionary troops. A founder of the Free African Society, he later opened a school for Black children while living here."Erected 1992 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

4. Charles Brockden Brown - Historic Marker

Inscription:"A Quaker, he is considered America's first important novelist. His Gothic fiction depicts Philadelphia life and inspired Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. As an author, editor, and historian, he addressed women's rights, slavery, and political issues. Born nearby."Erected 2023 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

5. Hannah Callowhill Penn - Historical Marker

Hannah Callowhill Penn was the second wife of William Penn, who is credited as Pennsylvania’s founder. The pair traveled from Bristol to Pennsylvania and arrived on December 10th, 1699 (Kelley). There William acted as proprietor until he was unable to due to a series of strokes leading to his death. Afterwards, Hannah had the duty of managing all the province’s official business, being the first and only woman to do so. She can be credited with fixing major problems left behind after her husband's death.The historical marker (located in Welcome Park) is placed at the site where she and William stayed after arriving to Pennsylvania. Inscription:"Born in 1671, she married William Penn, 1696. They lived at Pennsbury, and in the Slate Roof House here, 1699–1701. During his final illness, 1712–18, and until her death, 1726, she was Pennsylvania’s acting proprietor. She was the only woman to control a British proprietary colony for so long." Erected 2000 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

6. Anthony Benezet Historical Marker

Anthony Benezet was a French-born American Quaker and teacher who helped educate numerous African American children from his home which was located here in the decades leading up to the American Revolution. Benezet was one of the leading abolitionists in the city during the 18th century and authored numerous articles that influenced the nascent antislavery movement.

7. Philadelphia Conference and the National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights (1979) Historical Marker

In 1979, 300 gay rights activists gathered at the Arch Street Friends Meeting House, located near this historical marker, to plan the National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The march took place later that year in Washington, DC, with over 100,000 people demonstrating for human rights. The City of Philadelphia erected this historical marker several decades later to commemorate the watershed event.

This Tour is a Walking Tour.

Quaker Historic Markers in Old City, Philadelphia

Created by Kayla D'Oyen on March 19th 2025, 3:12:21 pm.

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Description

Celebrate National Historic Marker Day with Arch Street Meeting House (ASMH) on a walking tour of Old City, Philadelphia! Created by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, National Historic Marker Day is a service-oriented event that brings people and communities together to maintain their markers by cleaning them and providing an opportunity to celebrate and preserve history. ASMH staff and volunteers will begin the day with a quick clean of the meetinghouse's two markers, and then visitors are welcome to join us for a private walking tour that will lead you through the blue historic markers of some of Philadelphia's favorite Friends (also known as Quakers!). Tour stops include the markers for Betsy Ross, Anthony Benezet, Hannah Callowhill Penn, and more.

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Entries on This Tour

Quaker Historic Markers in Old City, Philadelphia

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