The Biden administration reversed its decision to remove the statue of William Penn in a Philadelphia park.
The park, located on the site of Penn’s home in Philadelphia, will be “rehabilitated” for an “expanded interpretation of the Native American history of Philadelphia.”
“The proposed rehabilitation of Welcome Park includes expanded interpretation of the Native American history of Philadelphia and was developed in consultation with representatives of the indigenous nations of the Haudenosaunee, the Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, the Shawnee Tribe, and the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma,” the original statement from the National Park Service read.
In an update statement, the National Park Service wrote, “Independence National Historical Park has withdrawn the review of a draft proposal to rehabilitate Welcome Park and closed the public comment period. The preliminary draft proposal, which was released prematurely and had not been subject to a complete internal agency review, is being retracted.”
“No changes to the William Penn statue are planned,” the Park Service continued.
The review of the new design proposal for Welcome Park has been withdrawn. No changes to the William Penn statue are planned. For more info, please visit: https://t.co/XWk0zPbEvl. pic.twitter.com/Ly0aooxXcx
— IndependenceNPS 🇺🇸 (@INDEPENDENCENHP) January 8, 2024
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) took credit for the reversal.
“My team has been in contact with the Biden Administration throughout the day to correct this decision,” Shapiro wrote on X. “I’m pleased Welcome Park will remain the rightful home of this William Penn statue — right here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Penn founded.”
My team has been in contact with the Biden Administration throughout the day to correct this decision. I’m pleased Welcome Park will remain the rightful home of this William Penn statue — right here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Penn founded. https://t.co/awSTpcyrNp
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) January 8, 2024
