Spotting Billy Penn Around Philly

Written By Jim Murphy

You just have to keep your eyes open

 I recently stumbled on this small image of William Penn near the back of Independence Hall at 6th and Walnut Streets. I’d never realized it was there. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.

While walking behind Independence Hall with my brother last week, I saw something completely new to me.

At the site of the former Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company Building, I suddenly spotted an image of William (or Billy) Penn I’d never noticed before. 

Of course, this just proved to me again that you never know what you’re going to see in Philadelphia — especially if you look up. I’ve strolled past that building thousands of times without ever seeing the Founder of Pennsylvania right there in front of me.

Not far from that site is another much larger image of William Penn. This artwork was completely unexpected … at least by the managers of Pennsylvania Hospital.

This large statue of William Penn was a gift from his grandson, John Penn, to Pennsylvania Hospital. You can see it on Pine Street between 8th and 9th Street. Photo by Jim Murphy.

Interesting Oddities

  • John Penn, the grandson of William Penn, wrote the hospital managers on Nov. 29, 1802. He offered them a portrait of William Penn, and wanted to know where it would be placed.

  • On Sept. 24, 1804, a 6' 7" statue of William Penn arrived at Philadelphia’s port. But there was no letter from John Penn explaining why the portrait was now a statue.

  • Ben Franklin first saw the statue at Wycombe, the home of Lord le Despencer, a friend. Franklin referred to the piece in a letter from London dated February 5, 1775. “I think such a Statue would well become a Niche in some Part of the Statehouse next the Garden. It might be had for about 50 £.”

  • The next owner of the estate sold the statue for old metal. John Penn reportedly found it in a junk shop and sent the statue to Pennsylvania Hospital. It’s now located on Pine Street between 8th and 9th Street.

  • About 1850, the statue fell down during a severe storm. After being patched up with a high heel and sole, it was placed back up on the pedestal, and remains there to this day.

Other Artwork of Billy Penn:

You can also see William Penn on top of City Hall; at Welcome Park near 2nd and Sansom Street; and at Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N. Beach Street. There’s also a trompe d’oeil mural by artist Richard Haas at 2300 Chestnut Street that I have to revisit soon. 

Of course, there are also two tiny statues of William Penn atop the Comcast Building and the Comcast Technology Center. They keep him top dog (or highest statue) in town and help us avoid the Curse of William Penn. For more on that, watch this video:

Jim Murphy
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