Thomas Paine Foundation / Memorial Committee
The Thomas Paine Foundation/Memorial Committee began as a separate organization (formerly simply the Thomas Paine Foundation) created by Margaret Downey, which was then adopted by the Freethought Society as a standing committee. Through the committee, the Freethought Society conducts educational and entertaining programs promoting the ideals of Thomas Paine and freethought philosophy. The committee has received local, national and international recognition for its efforts.
Thomas Paine Sites in Paris, France
If you are planning a visit to Paris, France and you have interest is visiting the places of significance to Thomas Paine’s work and life, please use the Thomas Paine-Themed Tour for Visitors to Paris, France document.
The document indicates addresses for each location that was visited during September 2017 Paris, France Thomas Paine-themed tour conducted by Margaret Downey, Julien Musolino, and Gary Berton. Downey portrayed Marguerite Brazier Bonneville. She was a French citizen and was very helpful to Thomas when he lived in Paris. Musolino portrayed Thomas Paine during the tour. In the following script, Julien quoted the words Thomas Paine uttered in Paris and conveyed some of the most famous statements made in Paine’s writings. Thomas Paine expert, Gary Berton was also a host of the tour. The document includes all the information about Thomas Paine that was conveyed by Downey, Musolino, and Berton. We hope you enjoy your time in Paris and will support the efforts of the Freethought Society.
Thomas Paine Philadelphia Walking Tour
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The museums and other sites below have different operating hours at different times throughout the year. Verify their current availability through their respective websites while planning your tour.
Disclaimer: Exhibits and museum features are constantly changing (last updated July 2026). Your experience may differ from the summaries below. We welcome additions and updates to this tour! Contact us at: info@ftsociety.org with any new information.
Begin tourNational Constitution Center
Start your walking tour at the National Constitution Center (NCC). Parking is available for a fee at NCC or at nearby parking garages and open lots. A detailed tour path is featured at the end of this tour description.
Thomas Paine Background
Born in Thetford, England, on January 29, 1737, Thomas Paine spent the first thirty-seven years of his life studying, teaching, debating, and writing. He was dismissed from his job as a poorly paid tax collector for trying to obtain better conditions for his fellow workers through his pamphlet “The Case of the Officers of Excise.” He immigrated to America in November 1774.
Arriving in Philadelphia with letters of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, whom he had met in London, Paine soon secured employment as an editor of The Pennsylvania Magazine. The magazine owner and printer of the magazine was Robert Aitken. He set the policies for the magazine, ensuring that all articles would “avoid the suspicion of prejudice on the controversial issues of religion and politics.”
Most of Paine’s early contributions were light-hearted, informative essays – but his best works were those that violated Aitken’s policy by lashing out at British rule, writing articles using pseudonyms including, “Atlanticus,” “Aesop,” and “Vox Populi.”
Paine was a man ahead of his time and had great observation and problem-solving skills. Philadelphia once had one of the most desease-spreading sections of the colonies (Dock and 2nd Streets). He noticed the dangerous disease spreading conditions, and wrote about this area being the source of a potentially disastrous health crisis spreading throughout the colonies at the time. Paine delivered his message to the Board of Health and entitled his cautionary essay “Of the Cause of the Yellow Fever; and the Means of Preventing It in Places Not Yet Infected with It.”
Soon the area was reconstructed, eliminating standing water, sewage, and trash. As a result, a more catastrophic Philadelphia outbreak of Yellow Fever was averted. Many credit Paine’s words of caution as the reason the cleanup action was taken. More importantly, Paine arrived in America at the perfect time to advance his views and thoughts on revolution and injustice.
When Paine accused the English government of limiting the social and political opportunities of American women and showed sympathy to Native Americans, Aiken dismissed Thomas Paine as an editor and writer for the magazine.
In lively conversations and writings, Paine continued to promote the notion that America should not simply revolt against taxation but demand independence from Great Britain entirely.
On January 10, 1776, Thomas Paine expanded this idea in a forty-seven-page pamphlet/booklet entitled Common Sense. The publication of Paine’s Common Sense was a watershed of the American Revolution.
At the time, most colonists were still wavering about the idea of independence from Great Britain, but Paine’s pamphlet galvanized opposition to the Crown and served as the final catalyst for political separation.
National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
215-409-6600
Admission required
Paine is featured at the beginning of NCC’s exhibit titled “America’s Founding,” which takes visitors on a journey from the colonies’ growing tensions with Great Britain through the drafting, ratification, and adoption of the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. As part of that journey, the beginning of the exhibit features an original printing of Common Sense and Paine’s famous quote of “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”
Two of the new exhibit’s sections — “Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists” and “Patriot or Loyalist?” — emphasize how divided America was during its founding years.
Paine is also featured in several other places at NCC. During their flagship presentation Freedom Rising, which is held multiple times a day, NCC combined a few passages from Paine’s pamphlet The American Crisis No. 1 to feature his words of “These are the times that try men’s soul…Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered…but if there be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.”
Copies of Common Sense are for sale at NCC, and other works from Paine are included in their shop’s “Founding Fathers” section. The children’s section had the illustrated book Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word for sale, and Paine is even listed on a wooden ruler entitled “American Patriots” on its front.
NCC also reopened its “First Amendment” gallery (complete with a section on what religious freedom does and does not mean in America), and a new exhibit titled “Governing the Nation” about the separation of powers.
Independence Visitor Center
599 Market St, Philadelphia
800-537-7676
Admission Free
After the British attacks on Lexington and Concord in the Spring of 1775, growing sympathy for the American cause flourished. Some of Congress’s greatest advocates of independence, including Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush, used the writings of Thomas Paine to test public opinion before making a definitive commitment themselves.
When Franklin and Rush encouraged Paine to detail his arguments in a single pamphlet, he obliged by writing Common Sense. From late autumn 1775 until the publication of the tract in January 1776, Paine spent his days writing about revolution in his rented rooms just a few blocks from this location. At nightfall, he visited taverns to engage in political debate.
Paine was a painstakingly diligent writer. A brief paragraph might take him days or even weeks because he scrutinized each sentence. Common Sense advocated American independence in language the common man and woman could understand and, ultimately, defend. Only a few days before the release of Common Sense King George delivered his opening speech to Parliament calling for suppression of the American rebellion.
Common Sense gave the Crown a direct and unequivocal response that was instantly copied, parodied, and translated into the language of every country that sympathized with the American cause. Nearly 120,000 copies of Common Sense were sold in the first three months after its release. By the end of the year approximately 500,000 copies had found their way into bookstores, private libraries, and taverns in both Europe and America.
Common Sense convinced many colonists who had previously been neutral about independence and the hope that they should separate from Great Britain. On July 2, 1776, when the Continental Congress voted for independence, Paine’s efforts were realized.
Today, Paine’s Common Sense is widely regarded as a powerful expression of the colonial mindset, just one step below the Declaration of Independence in importance. Paine’s greatest legacy, however, may well have been his trust in the ability of common people to determine their own political destiny.
At the Independence Visitor Center (located at 599 Market Street and pictured below), you will find an exhibit of Philadelphia history featuring Paine and Common Sense called “The Power of Words.”
American Philosophical Society
104 South 5th Street
215-440-3440
You can now walk towards the American Philosophical Society (APS). Founded in 1743 as a home for thinking about nature, machines, industry, and governance APA was the outgrowth of an idea fostered by Benjamin Franklin.
APS is the oldest surviving learning organization in the country. The name “The American Philosophical Society” is derived from the concept of “natural philosophy,” which was the 18th century name for the study of nature. The name has nothing to do with “philosophy” (political or otherwise), as we understand it today. Early members referred to themselves as “scientists” and “technologists.”
APS has the largest collection of Thomas Paine memorabilia. Colonel Richard Gimbel, a veteran of World War I and II as well as a wealthy department store heir, bequeathed the collection to APS in 1971. In the Gimbel collection there are 65 letters or manuscripts in Paine’s own hand, such as his notebook for the pamphlet Common Sense. The broader collection — more than 4,500 objects — includes a mix of items were written by, to, or about Paine such as books, pamphlets/booklets, newspapers, broadsides, and cartoons. Additionally, it contains a variety of transitory items relating to Paine such as playing cards, postage stamps, and tokens.
On the “Digital Collections” section of its website at: https://diglib.amphilsoc.org/ APS is currently featuring an extensive collection of political cartoons relating to Painite radicalism and the conservative response.
There is a beautiful work of art located in the office of APS’s Executive Director. The Thomas Paine bust you see in the window of the side alley is made of white marble. Hopefully the shades will be open so you can see the bust. The bust is in the Director’s private office — not for public viewing — a situation the Thomas Paine Memorial Association and the Freethought Society would like to rectify. However, visits to the office to see the bust are made by calling APS at (215) 440-3400.
On July 4, 1876, the Liberal League of the United States set aside $1,320.00 to secure the services of a Boston freethinker, Sydney H. Morse, who sculpted the beautiful bust. In 1905, the bust was placed on display at Independence Hall. By 1926 the bust was refused a niche because, according to the powers that be, Thomas Paine was “an infidel.” City Council members unfairly declared that Thomas Paine was “immoral.”
Paine was unjustly vilified for his book The Age of Reason, which criticized organized religion. The book promoted a Deistic worldview that advocates a rationalistic theology, generally rejects revelation as a source of divine knowledge, and asserts that empirical reason and observation of the natural world are logical, reliable, and sufficient.
Paine was also hated when, in 1796, he wrote a scathing open letter to President George Washington. In the published letter he wrote “…the world will be puzzled to decide whether you are an apostate or an impostor; whether you have abandoned good principles or whether you ever had any.” This harsh criticism of Washington was also used as evidence that the bust should not be on display.
It is said that the writings of Thomas Paine were instrumental in the creation of the Declaration of Independence penned in Old City Philadelphia by Thomas Jefferson.
APS has featured a variety of exhibitions in their museum over the years. Their current exhibition, titled “These Truths,” focuses on the Declaration of Independence and how both its publication and its meaning to the nation is more complex and less an old static document than assumed.
In addition to showcasing many copies of the Declaration over different eras, the exhibit also includes a first printing of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense; a copy of the critique publication The Deceiver Unmasked; and even a snuff box with a portrait of Thomas Paine.
“These Truths” will be open until January 3, 2027. Visit the American Philosophical Society Museum website for operating hours and other visitor information.
Independence Hall
520 Chestnut Street
215-965-2305
If you are interested in visiting Independence Hall, where the United States Constitution was written during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, travel across the street from APS, but please visit its website beforehand. Registration for their short tour of the main building is required. The tour price is only $1. Below is a photo of the convention floor that is found in the main building.
Second Bank and Portrait Studio
420 Chestnut Street
As of June 2026 this location is currently closed. Will reopen soon
The nearby Second Bank of the United States has a famous portrait studio that includes a portrait of Thomas Paine. The bank building itself is modeled on the Parthenon in Greece, and the history of the building can be read on the plaque affixed to the Second Bank façade.
The portrait of Thomas Paine was created in 1859. It is attributed to Bass Otis, but it based on an English artist George Romney’s 1792 portrait. Dr. William Wright gave the portrait to the City of Philadelphia in 1859.
It is a good time to mention that Thomas Paine declined the royalties from Common Sense and donated his profits directly to George Washington’s Continental Army to purchase winter clothing, such as mittens, blankets, and shoes for the soldiers.
Later, in 1780, Paine used his own salary to help start a subscription fund that raised money to supply the struggling army. This effort helped establish the Bank of Pennsylvania and the emergency relief fund provided the financial backing necessary to support the Continental Army through their grueling campaign and ultimately help finance the successful conclusion of the Revolutionary War at Yorktown.
Ben Franklin Court: Print Shop, Post Office, and Museum
318 Market Street
215-597-8974
The Franklin Print Shop has various hours of operation. Make sure they are open for visitors by calling 215-597-8974. The print shop features on one of its walls Thomas Paine and Common Sense as an example of the printer’s art pushing the colonies towards independence.
The Franklin Post Office is a living portrayal of a bygone Colonial lifestyle, and it is the only active post office in the United States that does not fly the American flag because there was not yet one in 1775 when Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster General. The postmark “B. Free Franklin” is still used to cancel stamps. The museum on the second floor features displays of postal history and memorabilia.
Although there are no specific references to Thomas Paine in the Benjamin Franklin Museum (which costs $5 per person), this modern addition is just behind the post office and can be a fun addition to your trip. Benjamin Franklin was impressed with Thomas Paine and wrote him a letter of introduction for his journey to the colonies. If it wasn’t for Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine may never have come to America or survived the arduous journey. When Paine took seriously ill with Typhoid on the voyage to the colonies, Franklin’s letter helped him get medical attention upon his arrival.
Museum of the American Revolution
101 South 3rd Street
admission required
The Museum of the American Revolution (MAR) at 101 South 3rd Street has several references to Paine’s role during the crucial Revolutionary War years. For example, a prominent description of General George Washington’s army fleeing through New Jersey in November 1776 is labeled as “The Times That Try Men’s Souls.” An extended version of Paine’s famous quote and an overall description of his work The American Crisis No. 1 is also featured on a gallery wall.
However, Paine’s most prominent mention is featured in a timeline of the Revolution, along with his famous quote of “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” Included in this section is an original Common Sense along with a publisher’s advertisement for it.
Interestingly, the pamphlet Plain Truth — written by a King George loyalist and published as a rebuke to Common Sense — is featured in a nearby section. See below photo.
Within the MARs “Revolutionary Place” exhibit on the first floor, Paine’s Common Sense and The American Crisis No. 1 pamphlets were featured on a shelf in a section about Philadelphia’s many taverns at the time of the war where people “drank, read newspapers, talked business and politics, and had fun.”
A copy of Common Sense, as well as the aforementioned book Thomas Paine and the Dangerous Word, was also found in the Parlor Room section of this exhibit. This exhibit, however, has a revolving door of items, and an employee admitted that some people take items sometimes; thus, the pamphlets and books in the tavern and the parlor room are subject to change.
Finally, a picture of Paine and his “times that try men’s souls” quote is featured in Revolution, a 15-minute film shown in the MAR theater that explores the origins, experiences, and ongoing legacy of the Revolution.
Unfortunately, there is no specific mention of Paine in the MAR’s feature exhibit about the Declaration of Independence on the first floor — despite Paine’s potential involvement as illustrated by the Sherman copy (see https://thomaspaine.org/the-sherman-copy/ for details).
The exhibit, however, shows how the Declaration of Independence inspired many other subsequent movements in history, including advances in civil rights that Paine would likely have applauded.
The Common Sense Historical Marker
3rd Street and Thomas Paine Place
free
Finally, you can visit the Common Sense Historical Marker that is located at 3rd Street and Thomas Paine Place. A picture of the location is below.
Below is a photo of the sidewalk with the standing Common Sense Historical Marker, which is to the left of the big tree in the photo, next to the parked Jeep.
There is a parking lot on the other side of the small wall behind the sidewalk in the above photo. The parking lot is where the historical print shop used to be.
Below is a close up picture of the Common Sense marker. You can also see a sign for the street named “Thomas Paine Place” in the background.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Philadelphia! Questions about Thomas Paine can be directed to Margaret Downey, Founder and President of the Freethought Society, at the following email address: margaret@ftsociety.org
She is also the President of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association. Her email through the association is: Margaret@ThomasPaineMemorial.org
Questions about the walking tour can be directed to David Condo, Vice President of the Freethought Society, at: davidcondo@ftsociety.org
A map of the overall walking tour is below. The total walking distance is approximately 1 mile.
See photos from the committee’s events and gatherings here!
- A Thomas Paine Sculpture (Being designed by the world-famous sculptor, Zenos Frutakis)
- A Thomas Paine Coloring Book for Children (written by Margaret Downey with original illustrations)
- A musical compilation of Thomas Paine themed songs written and performed by James Klueh.
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Thomas Paine, A Brief History
Thomas Paine arrived in America in 1774 at the request of Benjamin Franklin. On January 10, 1776, Paine published Common Sense, a remarkable and powerful republican pamphlet, which proved an immediate success. Paine served in the Revolutionary War under General Greene, and later in official congressionally-appointed positions and the Pennsylvania legislature. In his later publication, Age of Reason, Paine expressed that “all religions are in their nature mild and benign” when not associated with political systems; Paine was the quintessential Deist of the 18th century. Between March 1791 and February 1792 Paine published numerous editions of Rights of Man, in which he defended the French Revolution. The words of Thomas Paine inspired many to strive for political, economic and social advancement. He was among the first to call for an end to slavery and the establishment of human rights around the world.
In Honor of Thomas Paine
In appreciation, the Thomas Paine Foundation/Memorial Committee celebrates the birthday of Thomas Paine on January 29th, as well as a Thomas Paine Day proclamation on June 8 and other Paine-themed events during the year. The committee is a participant in the beautification project for the Thomas Paine National Historical Museum, located at what was once Paine’s farm in New Rochelle, NY.
Read all about the committee’s 20th anniversary Thomas Paine Day 2014!
Thomas Paine Educational Assemblies
Five Thomas Paine assemblies have been presented at elementary schools throughout the Delaware Valley region. Assemblies have also taken place in New Jersey and California. Urbana-Paine-Assembly – Thomas Paine School in Urbana, Illinois Thomas Paine Assemblies – Charlestown Elementary School and Uwchlan Hills Elementary, PA
If you are a teacher or school administrator, you may apply for a Thomas Paine Assembly Grant. Send your completed application to Margaret Downey at the email address below.
Tax-Deductible Contributions
Donations towards the production costs and supplies needed for these assemblies can be made online at https://www.ftsociety.org/donate; just note your earmark for either Paine Assemblies or the Thomas Paine Committee in general in the message field at the PayPal payment page. All donors will receive a receipt. FS is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) educational, charitable organization*. OR You may hire the Thomas Paine Foundation/Memorial Committee to conduct an assembly at your school. Simply contact Margaret Downey, Committee Director at: 610-793-2737 office 610-793-2561 fax E-mail: margaret@ftsociety.org