The Penn Club of Philadelphia

It was organized on March 18, 1875, with a mission to heighten awareness of arts and culture at the time of the Centennial Exposition.

With an original home on 8th and Locusts streets in Philadelphia, the Club came to existence after the American Civil War and prior to the Centennial Exhibition.

James P. Sims arranged the scheme of decoration and designed the mantel upon which McMichael and Wharton Barker placed the statue of William Penn, modeled in plaster by Muller.

The intention of the Club is expressed in its charter: The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are the association of authors, artists, men of science and the learned professions, and amateurs of music, letters, and the fine arts; and by receptions given to men or women distinguished in art, literature, science, or politics, and other kindred means, to promote social intercourse among its members.The Penn Club continues to this day, and meets in Center City, Philadelphia.

The club's motto is: "Dum Clavum Teneam", which is taken from the Penn family's coat of arms.