Media Spotlight on The Sons
Bright and early on the morning of 10 June, members of the Pennsylvania Society joined a production team from network affiliate 6abc/Philadelphia to participate in a production of a local interest segment about keeping history interesting and alive in 2026. President C. Michael Whelan, Peter F. Stokes and Executive Director Schuyler C. Wickes joined 6abc Producer Matteo Iadonisi to help craft the content for this feature. The piece focused on the patriotic ancestors of our members and the efforts our Society continues to make to keep their stories and patriotism top-of-mind for all of our members, and the general public as a whole.
The backdrop of the 1777-1778 winter encampment at Valley Forge served as a perfect location to talk about Peter Stokes’ Muhlenberg ancestors, especially Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg who commanded the forward line at Valley Forge, the first defense against a possible British winter attack. Similarly, Michael Whelan’s ancestor Israel Robinson Ball was a Bombardier in Captain John McCulloch’s Company of Artillery. He served at The Battle of Brandywine in September 1777, in addition to other battles during the American Revolution.
The final segment aired on 1st July on 6abc Action News (CLICK HERE TO WATCH) and was soon after posted on social media for broader viewing. The Society also received many other mentions over this summer period for all the American/250 events and celebrations, including the national Let Freedom Ring® bell tapping at Independence National Historical Park on the 4th of July. This is all an important part of our mission, and we look forward to more positive exposure over the rest of this year and beyond.
In addition, the Society was excited to participate in the production of a full-length PBS documentary titled “BECOMING AMERICAN: Philadelphia’s Story”. This was an ambitious project over many years, led by the careful stewardship and creativity of Oliver St. Clair Franklin, CBE, who served as the honorary British Consul for Greater Philadelphia for 27 years. The Pennsylvania Society and its Color Guard played an important role in the content and production of this impressive documentary, and our Society leadership were in attendance at the movie’s premier on 12th of May at the Philadelphia Film Institute. The film is available to watch in its entirety on PBS (CLICK HERE).
