2026 Likes Lecture Series- our 22nd Annual!
We are pleased to announce the topics and speakers for the 2026 annual Marvin J and Thomas Leo Likes Lecture Series, which will take place on Zoom each Tuesday evening in June at 7 PM Central beginning June 2. The lectures are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
This marks the 22nd year for the Likes Lecture Series, which began in 2004 as part of the archaeology NSF-REU field school and was open to the public. The Likes Lectures are named to honor surveyors Marvin Likes and son Tom, who donated so much time and talent to New Philadelphia.
The theme of the 2026 Likes Lecture Series is Community, Cooperation, and Shared Purpose.
This year’s schedule of topics and speakers includes:
June 2: John Wood: A pioneer, senator, governor, and abolitionist by Reg Ankrom
Reg Ankrom is a western Illinois journalist and historian. Ankrom’s most recent work is a 454-page anthology, Tales of John Wood and His Adams County, about Quincy’s founder and Illinois’ twelfth governor, John Wood. Ankrom edited the book, which was published in October.
June 9: Freedom Suits and the Freedom Suits Memorial by Paul Venker
Between the Louisiana Purchase and the Emancipation Proclamation, more than 300 enslaved people demanded their freedom in the St. Louis circuit court. The legal cases that resulted from these efforts are known as “freedom suits.” Freedom suits had emerged in other jurisdictions, but St. Louis became home to one of the largest collections of such cases in the United States.
June 16: Why the Civil War Still Matters. The United States Colored Troops by Jerilyn James Lee
Approximately 200,000 Black men served in the United States Colored Troops (USCT) in the Civil War between 1863 and 1867. Another 20,000 served in the U.S. Navy. USCT historian Jerilyn James Lee will share the thrilling stories of twenty courageous men and women who served in various roles during the Civil War with accompanying military documentation and photographs. Soldiers with ties to New Philadelphia will be highlighted.
June 23: New Philadelphia Neighbors
Members of the New Philadelphia Association will discuss several families of New Philadelphia and Hadley Township
June 30: Bonus! How descendants can reclaim their history
A panel of New Philadelphia Association members with genealogy resources, tips, and information sharing
All lectures are on Zoom at 7 PM Central time. Lectures are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
To register, go to: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MMoQiFeIT6mM3d5sDiBGIA