Armed with his cameras, his walk will trace the Lenape Indian migration from the Delaware Valley to Bartlesville, Oklahoma and highlight events along the way on what he is calling “The Trail of Hope.”
Prusinowski came to the United States from Poland in 1976. His love of history and a discovery of the world of photography merged and began to shape his new life. The story of William Penn and Tamanend and their 1682 Treaty of Friendship became part of what he feels is his destiny. “My desire to spread the life altering elements of love, peace and friendship among humanities mirrored the very intentions of William Penn in 1682 along the riverbank in the same neighborhood I immigrated to.”
Prusinowski views the walk as a journey of sharing, discovery and reflection. He will take along still and video cameras to preserve the stories he will hear along the way. He will tell his own story about finding purpose in one’s life and how together we can make a difference in our world. He will photograph sites that tell of the past and the present. Ultimately, the photographs of his experiences on the Trail of Hope will be presented in an exhibit to inspire peace, love and hope for future generations.
His route will take him across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas to Oklahoma. In addition to his cameras, he will carry only a cell phone, laptop computer and a small backpack. He plans to walk about 20 miles a day and then will stop at night along the way. “I believe that the gentle shadow of the Great Elm Tree’s canopy will follow me along this trail, like an eagle protecting me under its wings,” he said.
Prusinowski has established a blog www.TrailOfHopeBlog.com about his journey. He will update it as he walks. The Penn Treaty Museum, an online museum (penntreatymuseum.org), will also maintain contact with him.
On March 23 from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. a ceremony will take place in Penn Treaty Park to start Peter Prusinowski’s journey at the site of the Treaty of Friendship. The park is located at 1188 N. Delaware Avenue and Columbia Ave. in Fishtown.