September 13, 2021—Free Frank Freedom Day

We’re pleased to announce this event and thank the St. Louis Post Dispatch for picking up the story (link)!

By Rebecca Winner

On September 13, 2021, the New Philadelphia Association will honor Free Frank McWorter, who in 1836 was the first African American to plat and register a town in the United States.

Frank McWorter purchased his freedom and became Free Frank 202 years ago on September 13, 1819. This event celebrating his freedom is part of the Pike County, IL, Bicentennial Celebration and the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Month. Retired Brig. Gen. Donald L. Scott will be the event’s keynote speaker.

Free Frank Freedom Day will begin at 2 p.m. at the town site east of Barry, IL, and will continue at 4 p.m. at the Barry Baptist Church for the keynote address.

To learn more about New Philadelphia, visit www.newphiladelphiail.org. Recent newspaper articles are to be found in the Chicago Tribune (pdf) at https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-flashback-new-philadelphia-frank-mcworter-20210212-udbwwjdzf5gkxd6gi2q4gijy34-story.html and the Quincy Herald-Whig (pdf) at https://www.whig.com/news/illinois-news/work-continues-to-make-new-philadelphia-part-of-national-park-system/article_27f401a4-c15b-57a9-8297-d90802e57f19.html

For more information contact Marynel Corton, Executive Director, New Philadelphia Association, 217-335-2716, jecorton@aol.com