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Arthur Ross Gallery to launch America 250 exhibition this fall
A painting depicting The City of Philadelphia as it appeared in the Year 1800. The scene shows a green field with trees to the right; red brick buildings to the left and in the background; and citizens walking and socializing together throughout the piece.

“Back of the State House, Philadelphia”. Plate 22 from “The City of Philadelphia as it appeared in the Year 1800”. Published by W. Birch, Springland Cot. near Neshaminy Bridge on the Bristol Road; Pennsylvania. Decr. 31st 1800. University of Pennsylvania Art Collection, Philadelphia.

(Image: Courtesy of the Arthur Ross Gallery)

Arthur Ross Gallery to launch America 250 exhibition this fall

‘At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic’ will be on view Aug. 28 through Dec. 13. The fall exhibition, located in the Arthur Ross Gallery, will consider the role of visual culture and perceptions of Philadelphia during the era of the Revolution.

1 min. read

Recreating the Declaration using 250-year-old techniques
adding ink to letterpress

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Recreating the Declaration using 250-year-old techniques

From papermaking to typesetting, Penn’s Common Press has been working to print the Declaration of Independence using the same methods as in 1776. Members of the public can sign up through December to print their own copies.

4 min. read

‘Migrating Lives: Celebrating Communities Through Participatory Murals’
One mural made of multiple hand-drawn murals.

The completed canvases were photographed together—by alum Bryan Lathrop—to make one large mural. Lathrop and his wife, Tatiana Olmedo, each painted their own canvases as well.

(Image: Bryan Lathrop)

‘Migrating Lives: Celebrating Communities Through Participatory Murals’

A yearlong mural project celebrating the beauty of immigration has brought together Penn students, staff, faculty, and alums—along with community members across the Philadelphia area.

From Omnia

2 min. read

A celebration of freedom, wellness, and community
A person jumping in the double dutch ropes on the Penn Museum courtyard.

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A celebration of freedom, wellness, and community

On June 13, the Penn Museum opened its doors and courtyard to visitors for a free day of live performances, a health and financial literacy fair, and family activities.

Penn Today Staff

3 min. read

The public health impacts of floods
The Philly freeway submerged in water after flooding from a hurricane.

Image: Philippe Gerber via Getty Images

The public health impacts of floods

Cheryl Bettigole, executive director of the Penn Center for Public Health and former health commissioner of Philadelphia, discusses the many ways communities are affected by floods

3 min. read

A moment of reflection 15 years in the making
Performers with Natives at Penn performing a traditional dance.

This year’s powwow took place in the Hall of Flags and was co-hosted by the Albert M. Greenfield Intercultural Center.

(Image: Kia Lor)

A moment of reflection 15 years in the making

This year marked the 15th anniversary of the Natives at Penn annual powwow. Co-founders Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and Paul Garr celebrated the milestone and the tradition of Native fellowship, community building, and education.

From Omnia

2 min. read

Penn’s Alumni Weekend in pictures
A procession of Penn alums alongside flags featuring the dates they graduated.

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Penn’s Alumni Weekend in pictures

Generations of Penn graduates enjoyed a walking tour of Old City, a celebration of Kelly Writers House’s 30th anniversary, a gallery hop at the ICA and Arthur Ross Gallery, and more during the annual Alumni Weekend.

1 min. read

A look back at the Class of 1776
Excerpt of Trustees minutes page 96.

“Upon the Report of the Examiners, the following candidates approved of as qualified by their standing and proficiency to be admitted to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, are James Abercrombie, John Leeds Bos[z]man, John Clopton, William Cock[e], Thomas Duncan Smith, William Thomas, and Ralph Wiltshire; and a mandate was ordered to be made out for conferring on them their Degree of Bachelor of Arts on the 10th of June next.”

(Image: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Minute Books, volume 2, 1768-1779; University Archives)

A look back at the Class of 1776

At the time, the seven graduates of the class received Bachelor of Arts degrees in a private ceremony open only to faculty, trustees, and graduates—due to what was described as the “unsettled state of affairs.”

2 min. read

Making paper for the Declaration’s anniversary
Kelly He makes paper at Historic Rittenhouse Town

Kelly He lifts the mould and deckle to drain water from the paper pulp.

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Making paper for the Declaration’s anniversary

Learn the five steps to making paper as it was done in the Revolutionary era, part of a Common Press semiquincentennial project, alongside a class from the Weitzman School of Design.

5 min. read