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Fashioning Illinois: History Lost and Found from Chris Young on Vimeo. In 1817 Lucy McWorter was the first McWorter to gain her freedom when Frank began his lifelong project of buying family members.  As a result of this choice, her son Squire was born free just a few months later.  The family eventually moved from […]

You may get it via USPS or via email.  Thanks to all our supporters who made this scaled-up newsletter mailing possible! For the pdf, click here.

As of December 2020, this effort is rolled over to the 2021 Congress.  Letters are not needed at this time.  Do stay tuned. Longtime friend and Congressman Darin LaHood has introduced the New Philadelphia National Historical Park Act, H.R. 8224 to make New Philadelphia, Illinois, a unit of the National Park System.  Please add your […]

Gerald McWorter and Kate Williams-McWorter, who wrote the 2018 book New Philadelphia for the New Philadelphia Association, continue to attract audiences for the story even in the pandemic. Of two recent presentations, the first is still available online, so do help yourself.  And get in touch if you want a live/remote presentation to your group! […]

Join a nationwide “group watch” on July 4, 2020 at 10 am Illinois time, or plan your own Fourth of July viewing anytime.  New Philadelphia descendant Gerald McWorter and other representatives of the nation’s Underground Railroad sites will read the renowned Frederick Douglass speech, “What to the Slave is your Fourth of July?”  Mr. Douglass […]

Our third online Likes Lecture was a success like the first two with at least 50 people present; we’re just sorry that the recording failed and we cannot offer it here. On Tuesday, June 23 at 7 pm online, musician and music educator Bill Camphouse of Perry, Illinois spoke about American popular music across the […]

Our second online talk was a success like the first with at least 45 people present.  On Tuesday, June 16 at 7 pm online, Curator Erika Holst of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield spoke about the upcoming exhibit, Fashioning Illinois, 1820-1900. What was it like to make, wear and care for clothes? How did […]

Our June 9, 2020 speaker Charlotte E. Johnson shared new knowledge about the photo below.  It is in the McWorter family collection and perhaps others as well, but identities were not well known.  It is an 1880 photo of the Hinds family. Left to right, John Thomas, mother Lucy McKinney Hinds, Polly R. in her […]

Our first online Likes Lecture was a well-attended hit with 50 people present. New descendants of New Philadelphia showed up from Idaho.  More than a few people remembered Marvin and Tom Likes. Charlotte E. Johnson (shown at left) spoke for 30 minutes or so on “Family Ties in Pike County” and then there was discussion.  […]

To get the link to attend, send email to newphiladelphiail@gmail.com. As events are over, click the ALL CAPS links below for recordings/details.   With stay-at-home in effect, we have moved our annual Likes Lectures online and invite you to join us! Hear about freedom stories and cultural practices connecting to the remarkable abolitionist town of […]