Although the Thomas Paine Foundation (TPF) began as a separate organization, FSGP has adopted it as a committee.  Through TPF, FSGP can conduct special programs.   The programs give FSGP a vehicle in which to promote the ideals of Thomas Paine and freethought.  The Foundation has been very successful in getting local, national and international recognition.

Thomas Paine arrived in America in 1774 at Benjamin Franklin's request.  On January 10, 1776, he published Common Sense, a remarkable and powerful republican pamphlet which had an immediate success.   He served in the Revolutionary War under General Greene and later in official positions appointed by congress and in 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 he published numerous editions of his Rights of Man: Part the First and Rights of Man: Part the Second, in which he defended the French Revolution.  The words of Thomas Paine inspired many to strive for political, economic and social advancement.  He was amoung the first to call for an end to slavery and the establishment of human rights around the world.  In appreciation, TPF celebrates the birthday of Thomas Paine on January 29th, a Thomas Paine Day proclamation on June 8 and other Paine theme events during the year.  TPF aids in the beautification project for the Thomas Paine National Historical Museum and occasionally visits the three Thomas Paine Elementary Schools located so far.

TPF Projects for 2006

Brochure for TPF School Programs

Establishing a Birthday Tradition at the Thomas Paine Elementary School
by Margaret Downey

The Thomas Paine Foundation (TPF) began planning to produce a January 25, 2002 assembly for the Thomas Paine Elementary School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey six months in advance.  Much had to be done and we hoped to present as high quality program as in the previous year.  These assemblies celebrated the January 29, 1731 birth of Thomas Paine.

The 2001 assembly was filmed and aired by C-Span.  It involved two actors, the mayor of Cherry Hill and the School Superintendent, Thomas Paine National Historical Association (TPNHA) dignitaries, and many other prominent Cherry Hill residents.  We did not want to disappoint anyone who might be expecting an equally exciting 2002 assembly.

PBS actor Hans Petersen generously consented to repeat his one-man show "Let Them Call Me Rebel" free of charge.  Petersen generously volunteered his time to help celebrate the birthdate of Thomas Paine.  The assembly was attended by almost four hundred people.

The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighted the assembly and published a large photograph of Petersen and me.

Jim Downey (no relation to me) who is a member of the TPNHA, also volunteered his time.  Downey conducted a thirty-minute post-assembly meeting with fifth graders.  He and I were both dressed in colonial costume.  This helped retain the childrens' attention.  Forty children and several teachers attended the post-assembly session.

I opened the assembly with an introduction and a gift presentation.  As hostess, I represented both TPF and TPNHA since I am a board member of each group.  The Thomas Paine Elementary School library received two books - Common Sense by Thomas Paine and Thomas Paine:  Common Sense and Revolutionary Pamphleteering by Brain McCartin, courtesy of TPF and TPNHA.

Petersen portrayed Thomas Paine for about forty minutes.  Remaining in character after his performance, he took questions from members of the audience and responded in the first person.  Petersen talked about Thomas Paine's life work, major political accomplishments, travels, friends, adventures, inventions, and personal life.  The children and the teachers took it all in and certainly found the presentation very entertaining.

Principal Dr. Lawyer Chapman requested that we continue the tradition and begin making plans to host another assembly at the school in January 2003.  The next assembly may involve an actual colonial birthday party hosted by Thomas Paine's friend Madame Marguerite de Bonneville, who will be portrayed by me.  I am working on the script with assistance from members of TPNHA.

Preliminary plans include educational games, a birthday cake, and an overview of Thomas Paine's life through the eyes of Madame de Bonneville.

Volunteers are needed to help on the day of the assembly and with pre-assembly planning.  To offer your assistance, please contact me at:

Phone: (610 793-2737
Fax: (610) 793-2569
E-mail: downey1@cris.com

Letters from schoolchildren who've seen a Thomas Paine Presentation

TPF is a committee of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP).  Through the efforts of TPF, FSGP provides educational, free, and open-to-the-public community programs.  Educational programs such as the Thomas Paine Elementary School assembly are only possible with volunteer help from FSGP members and donations earmarked for this purpose.  Please help support our endeavors by maintaining your FSGP membership.

Thomas Paine's Writings

• African Slavery in America
• Age of Reason
• Agrarian Justice
• Common Sense