Philadelphia is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by showcasing a new “first” — an idea, invention, or milestone that originated in the city — each week this year.
The “52 Weeks of Firsts” program is organizing free weekly “Firstivals” all year long in honor of the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial. Six of the year’s “firsts” — the First Medical School, First Stadium, First Hospital, First University, First Peoples, and First Computer — will take place on Penn’s campus.
“Philadelphia has always been a pioneering city, and 52 Weeks of Firsts captures that spirit for our nation’s 250th anniversary,” Penn President Larry Jameson wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian.
“What matters most, though, is how innovation driven by Penn’s people has strengthened our knowledge creation and service to society,” he added. “I encourage everyone to visit and learn more about these important firsts and their enduring legacy at Penn and in Philadelphia.”
1990 College graduate Cari Feiler Bender, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee, told the DP that the project’s goal was to “elevate the Philadelphia story.”
“The best part about it is that we’re highlighting Philly ingenuity, Philly creativity, and Philadelphia stories,” Bender explained.
Each “first” is accompanied by a sculpture depicting the number one to commemorate the location’s historical significance. The sculptures were designed by local mural artists who worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Lynn Smith Dolby, director of the Penn Art Collection, wrote to the DP that she served as a “liaison” between Mural Arts Philadelphia and the University. She said that each sculpture represented “the artist’s individual style” as well as “the collaborative effort between the artist and the campus location.”
Dolby wrote that it was “important” to place the sculptures in public to “connect the university with the wider Semiquincentennial celebrations.”
Mural artist Anh Ly designed the “First University” sculpture, which is located in Houston Hall. The Firstival commemorating that milestone is set to take place on Nov. 14.
Ly — who attended Drexel University — told the DP that her decision to design the sculpture was a “no-brainer.”
“I chose to go to the U.S. to study, and because I value education,” Ly said. “UPenn, being the first university, made it the first place for a lot more education to come.”
In her design, Ly depicted a book — the “universal icon of education” — the bricks of College Hall, an image of Penn’s founder Benjamin Franklin, and an homage to Franklin’s kites.
She also added Penn’s motto, “Leges Sine Moribus Vanae,” which in English reads “Laws without morals are useless.”
The first “52 Weeks of Firsts” event on campus took place earlier this month, honoring the nation’s first stadium — Penn’s Franklin Field.
“The story of America just doesn’t unfold in chambers and conventions,” Historic Philadelphia President Amy Needle said at the April 4 event. “It unfolds in places like this.”
The project is one of several programs led by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. On April 14, the group announced that its third-annual “Red, White, & Blue To-Do” celebration would take place on July 2.
The day will feature a flag-raising ceremony at the Betsy Ross House, followed by a parade, block party, music series, and picnic.
“On the road to America’s 250th, Philadelphia is once again showing the world what it looks like when history, community, and celebration come together in the streets of our great city,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker wrote in a press release.
Alongside the city’s programming, Penn Libraries has scheduled a series of performances, conferences, and exhibitions to celebrate the nation’s anniversary throughout the year.
Senior reporter Arti Jain covers state and local politics and can be reached at jain@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies economics and political science. Follow her on X @arti_jain_.
