The William Penn Statue: Philly’s Iconic Guardian & Sports Superfan
If you’ve ever walked through Center City Philadelphia, you’ve likely noticed the massive bronze statue of William Penn towering above City Hall. At 37 feet tall, it’s the largest statue atop any building in the world and has been watching over the city since 1894.
But for Philly sports fans, William Penn is more than just a historical figure—he’s an unofficial good luck charm who sometimes dons jerseys for our beloved teams when they make deep playoff runs.
So how did a 17th-century Quaker leader become a symbol of Philly’s sports pride? Let’s dive into the history of the William Penn statue, the Curse of Billy Penn, and how his sports jerseys make their way up there.
A Brief History of the William Penn Statue
🗿 Who is William Penn?
William Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania, and he envisioned Philadelphia as a city of religious freedom and tolerance.
🏛️ How the Statue Came to Be
In 1871, City Hall’s construction began.
In 1894, the William Penn statue was installed on top, designed by Alexander Milne Calder.
At 37 feet tall and weighing 53,000 pounds, the statue remains the largest atop any building in the world.
For decades, William Penn stood as the highest point in Philadelphia, per an unofficial agreement that no building would surpass him. That changed in the late 1980s, which led to one of the most infamous Philly sports curses ever.
The Curse of Billy Penn (1987-2008)
For almost 100 years, no building was taller than City Hall. That changed in 1987, when One Liberty Place broke the “gentleman’s agreement” by surpassing Billy Penn’s hat.
🔮 What happened next? A 21-year championship drought.
The Eagles lost in multiple NFC Championships.
The Flyers lost in the Stanley Cup Finals (1997).
The 76ers made the NBA Finals (2001) but lost.
The Phillies struggled for years.
😱 Many fans believed William Penn was cursing the city for allowing another building to rise above him.
👷♂️ Breaking the Curse: In 2007, as the Comcast Center was being built, workers placed a miniature William Penn statue on top of the skyscraper.
🏆 One year later, the Phillies won the World Series (2008), breaking the curse!
How William Penn Wears Philly Sports Jerseys
When Philly teams make a deep playoff run, fans want to see Billy Penn show his support. But getting a jersey on a 53,000-pound statue 500 feet in the air is no easy feat.
👕 How They Get the Jerseys Up There:
1️⃣ A custom jersey must be made (you can’t just buy a 37-foot-tall jersey at Modell’s).
2️⃣ A team of professional climbers and engineers scale City Hall.
3️⃣ The jersey is carefully draped over Billy Penn—a process that takes hours.
🔹 Notable Times Billy Penn Wore a Jersey:
✔️ 1993 Phillies World Series – A huge red Phillies jersey was placed on the statue.
✔️ 1997 Flyers Stanley Cup Run – William Penn rocked an orange Flyers jersey.
✔️ 2001 76ers NBA Finals – He sported a custom 76ers Allen Iverson jersey.
✔️ 2008 Phillies World Series Champions – A Phillies cap was added after the win.
✔️ 2018 Eagles Super Bowl – The ultimate midnight green jersey was raised in honor of the Birds.
Photo by @phillychitchat
Will We See Billy Penn in an Eagles Jersey Again?
If the Eagles bring home another Lombardi Trophy, there’s a good chance we’ll see Billy Penn decked out in midnight green once again.
Whether you believe in the curse, the comeback, or just the fun of it all, one thing is certain—William Penn is as much a part of Philly sports culture as cheesesteaks, the Rocky Steps, and “E-A-G-L-E-S” chants.
Want to Live in the Heart of Philly? Let’s Find Your Dream Home!
🏠 Whether you want a Center City condo with a view of City Hall or a South Philly home near the Linc, I can help!
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