In 1682, on the banks of the Delaware River, William Penn and a group of Indian chiefs met beneath the shade of a large elm tree. The resulting Treaty of Amity and Friendship paved the way for the founding of the Pennsylvania colony and became a universal symbol of religious and civil liberty. Despite its protection by sentinels during the American Revolution, the great elm was finally uprooted in an 1810 storm, making national headlines. In honor of Penn's inspirational diplomacy, Kenneth W. Milano explores the frenzy of artists and historians interest in this historical landmark and chronicles the Penn Society's efforts to commemorate the place of Penn's Treaty and the public-spirited citizens of Kensington's success in memorializing the site through the construction of Penn Treaty Park.
Kenneth W. Milano is a historical & genealogical researcher. He was born and raised in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Milano received his degree in History from Temple University. His 2006-2011 column "The Rest is History" is well remembered by readers of Star Newspapers. He is one of the founders of the Kensington History Project.