Free Frank Freedom Day September 13, 2024

On September 13, 2024, the third celebration for Free Frank Freedom Day, after events in 2019 and 2021, was held in Barry, Illinois. Several groups including the Barry Historical Museum, Barry City Council, Pike County Historical Society, the First Baptist Church of Barry, Pinkerton Prairie Daughters of 1812, and the New Philadelphia Association came together to celebrate the 205th anniversary of Free Frank obtaining his freedom. Frank McWorter purchased his freedom from slavery on September 13, 1819, in Pulaski County, Kentucky.

The celebration was held in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Barry, the home church of Free Frank, Free Lucy and other New Philadelphia residents.

Free Frank Freedom Day included presentations from the Pinkerton Prairie Daughters of 1812 (Leslie Reynolds Fowler), the Barry Museum (Marynel Corton, also NPA board member) and a sixth-grade student from Western Junior Hight School (Clara Nation). Barry Mayor Shawn Rennecker presented a proclamation making September 13 Free Frank Freedom Day, with NPA board members Sandra McWorter Marsh and Carol McCartney also present.

Below are some of the articles written about the event.

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