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The Declaration's Journey - Judge Robert Wesley Williams, Jr., Honored

On May 11, 2026, the Commonwealth Court Historical Society held a CLE/CJE program-The Declaration's Journey: 250 Years of Liberty, Equality, and Self-Government-In the Madame Justice Sandra Schultz Newman Supreme Court Courtroom in Philadelphia. Celebrating America250, judges and lawyers from across the Commonwealth heard from Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution, about the Declaration of Independence, America's struggle for freedom, and the c

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Walnut Street Theatre - 1776

Over the course of three days, 2700 local school students descended on the Walnut Street Theatre to watch the troupe’s performance of ‘1776’ and learn about history and civics. Organized by Commonwealth Court Judge Lori Dumas on behalf of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Historical Commission, the students watched a professional live performance – for many a first – and participate in a talkback session with the cast afterwards.

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Civics Education in Wilkes-Barre

On April 10, 2026, Supreme Court Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy, Superior Court President Judge Emeritus (and former Justice) Correale F. Stevens, and Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas President judge welcomed 40 students from Hanover Area High School to the county courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. The three judges discussed the different courts in the Commonwealth and their responsibility to the rule of law and democracy. They also presented the students with hypothetical statutes

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Pennsylvania Mock Trial Champions Crowned

On Saturday, March 28, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Historical Commission hosted the Commonwealth's two finalists in its Harrisburg courtroom . Justice Daniel D. McCaffery presided as the trial judge over a Mock civil trial involving the death of Bo Bridger in Jaime Bridger, Guardian v. Dr. Colter’s Family Medicine, LLP . Ms. Bridger was a Division I track athlete desperate to improve her performance and adopted a r

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Historical Marker Recognizing Supreme Court

March 12, 2026 In recognition of the Supreme Court's contribution to the law in the United States and the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania's Historical Marker Program installed one of its recognizable blue and yellow markers at 2nd and Market St. in Philadelphia. That location was selected as the site of Philadelphia's first City Hall called the Towne House. Prior to the erection of the Towne House, the Provincial Court held trial and heard appeals in local taverns and private home

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Aaron Burr Historic Mock Trial

In a partnership with the Rendell Center , the 6th grade founders of Masterman School Mock Trial Club conducted a mock trial based on a script they created during their lunch break. In the Supreme Court's Philadelphia courtroom, Justice Kevin M. Dougherty presided over the fictitious trial in the aftermath of duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton in which Hamilton was slain. The prosecution and defense called three witnesses each, including Mr. Burr and Eliza, Mr. Ha

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