Pennsylvania History

"[Strauss] traces the history and culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch staple and checks-in on chefs who are creating exciting new ways to eat it." —Philly Grub The name may remind you of a certain word-based board game, but scrapple has been an essential food in Mid-Atlantic kitchens for...

"The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study (Grapevine edition)" presents an influential sociological work by W. E. B. du Bois that provides a comprehensive examination of the African American community in Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century. This groundbreaking study is a seminal...

In 1681, King Charles II granted William Penn, a Quaker, sole proprietorship of more than 450,000 acres of land. The colony of Pennsylvania soon offered thousands of European settlers the civil liberties, representative government, and affordable land they wanted.

Lorne Greene is best known to TV fans as Ben Cartwright in Bonanza and Commander Adama in the original series of Battlestar Galactica. The Colonial Keystone: Pennsylvania was released as the biccentennial LP in 1976. This is the digital release of this full-cast audio drama with sound effects. This release is endorsed by the Lorne Greene Estate

A folklorist chronicles the history and lore of witchcraft in the Keystone State from William Penn's seventeenth century witch trial to twentieth century occultism. As English and German settlers migrated to Pennsylvania, they brought their beliefs in magic with them from the Old...

“Sara Shepard delivers the perfect read….A brilliant storyteller.” —Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of Very Valentine and Brava, Valentine “[Written] with unflinching honesty and unstinting compassion.” —Jacquelyn Mitchard, author The Deep End of the Ocean “This riveting...

In the Steel City, "Yinzer" is a term of endearment, reserved for the city's most beloved and embraced by locals as a symbol of the grit and determination that Pittsburgh endows anyone from there . The city's undeniable impact on the character and life of those who grew up there has shaped...

When ships under the command of white Europeans first sailed into the Delaware Bay in 1609, southeastern Pennsylvania's documented history of the strange and unusual began. This book tackles seven true "dark histories" from Chester and Delaware counties, which include tales of murder, witchcraft, cannibalism, tragic accidents, and macabre events that actually happened in the Greater Philadelphia region. All stories are meticulously researched and placed within the greater context of Pennsylvania and world history.

“This is Dickens in the present tense, Dickens for the twenty-first century.”—Roddy Doyle, The New York Times Book Review An Irishman in nineteenth-century England is forced to take sides when his nephew joins the bloody underground movement for independence in this propulsive novel from...

Exploring Pittsburgh's Ups and Downs In Pittsburgh, the elevation varies wildly, fluctuating 660 feet from highest to lowest points throughout the area and making it one of the hilliest cities in the United States. Throughout this unruly and physically challenging landscape, the city's first...

William Penn acquired a large section of American land in a debt settlement and transformed it into a thriving colony. He wrote this tract (and others) to recruit British colonists to Pennsylvania. In it, he praises the quality of the weather, the abundance of agricultural opportunities, and their good relations with the native people. His persuasive words capture a sense of “America the beautiful” that drove thousands to seek a new life in the land of opportunity.

Abigail Jane Stewart returns in this brand-new sequel to THE WINTER OF RED SNOW. The Revolutionary War toils on, but the Stewart family can no longer avoid getting involved. Abby's father joins the Continental Army, while Abby, her mother, and her siblings become camp followers. They face daily hardships alongside the troops and continue to spend time helping the Washingtons. Filled with romance and adventure, Abby's frontline view of the war captures the heartache and bravery of the soldiers, as well as the steep cost of freedom.

Discover how a radical experiment in religious tolerance sparked the American Revolution and forged a new republic. From early compromises between Lenape communities and settlers to the diverse streets of a colonial port, navigate the fierce clashes of early civic life. This immersive urban...

Dive into the history, geography, and culture of Pennsylvania in this installment of the 50 States series. From major cities to historic events, Where Is Pennsylvania? introduces you to the state in a whole new way, whether you’re proud to call it home or learning about a distant destination...