When Pope Francis visits Philadelphia next month, he will be presented with a special token commemorating his visit and nodding to a monumental site in American history – a pen made using wood fragments from original beams of Independence Hall.
Bob DeMartino, a parishioner in St. Mary of the Pines Parish, Manahawkin, announced that his firm, the Historic Pen Company, has been tapped to create the special gift for the City of Philadelphia. He also plans to create an exact replica to donate to his home parish.
DeMartino’s company recently acquired the only documented, original-construction wood removed from Independence Hall, and in keeping with his company’s mission to use such artifacts to create functional works of art, the firm will create the custom pen marking the Pontiff’s historic visit to the United States.
The company’s master pen maker will handcraft two pens – one for the City and one to be presented to the Pope – using the same piece of wood removed from Independence Hall in 1898. Each pen will be made of solid silver hardware and the historic wood, and will be comprised of two pieces – a barrel and cap. The hardware will be inscribed with “Independence Hall 1776,” and the cap will include engraved text commemorating the date of Pope Francis’ visit.
For more information, visit www.HistoryPens.com.