Editing Penn Treaty Park (section)

== History ==

=== The Treaty ===

The legendary '''Treaty of Shackamaxon''':
* Traditionally dated to 1682 or 1683
* William Penn and Lenape leaders
* Peace and friendship agreement
* Land transaction terms
* "Never sworn to, never broken"

=== Historical Debate ===

Historians debate the treaty's specifics:
* No written record of the specific treaty survives
* Multiple treaties and agreements occurred
* The tradition may combine several events
* Penn's peaceful approach is documented
* Symbolic importance transcends historical precision

=== The Treaty Elm ===

A great '''elm tree''' marked the traditional site:
* Stood for centuries as memorial
* Blew down in 1810 storm
* Wood made into relics
* Successor trees planted
* Monument marks the site

=== Voltaire's Praise ===

'''Voltaire''' wrote of Penn's treaty:
* "The only treaty never sworn to and never broken"
* Helped cement the legend
* Contrasted with violent colonization elsewhere
* Became symbol of peaceful coexistence

=== Park Establishment ===

The park was created in '''1893''':
* William Penn Society advocacy
* Preserved historic site from development
* Industrial waterfront surrounded the park
* Maintained despite neighborhood changes