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 […]

The New Philadelphia Association (NPA) recently concluded a Planning Retreat, held from August 21-23, 2024, at Sprague’s Kinderhook Lodge near Barry, Illinois. This retreat marks a significant milestone in the NPA’s 28-year history of developing, maintaining, and promoting the New Philadelphia site, the first town in the United States registered and platted by an African […]

In a significant milestone, the New Philadelphia Association (NPA) has successfully transferred the first tract of property to the National Park Service (NPS) for inclusion in the New Philadelphia National Historic Site, the nation’s 424th national park. This nearly 25-acre parcel, known for its historical importance as the first town officially platted and registered by […]

We are pleased to announce the topics and speakers for the 2024 annual Marvin J. and Thomas Leo Likes Lecture Series, which will take place each Tuesday evening in June at 7 PM CDT beginning June 4. With several years of online success, the Lecture Series will be offered online again this year. The lectures […]

The New Philadelphia Association is thrilled to announce that the organization’s efforts to establish a thriving pollinator plot have garnered praise in the Quincy Herald-Whig’s special publication, “Farm & Field, Fall 2023.” The article, penned by Deborah Gertz-Husar, can be found on page 3 of the publication, and it highlights the accomplishments of Lucy’s Garden […]

In a decision made during the September 25 meeting, the Pike County Board passed a resolution, officially relinquishing all rights to the streets and alleys of the New Philadelphia Town Site. By relinquishing control over the streets and alleys, the County is helping to transition the Town Site to the National Park System. This resolution marks a […]

August 10. 2023 Barry, IL: The New Philadelphia Association (NPA) hosted a visit by  Senator Dick Durbin at the New Philadelphia National Historic Site near Barry, Illinois on  August 7, 2023. New Philadelphia was the first town in the United States founded and  legally registered by an African American, Free Frank McWorter.   Senator Durbin, along […]

The New Philadelphia Association (NPA) is pleased to announce that progress has been made in the planning process to transition the historic site to a national park. Board members of the NPA are set to hold another crucial meeting this week with representatives from the National Park Service (NPS) to further advance the efforts of […]

The New Philadelphia Association is delighted to announce newest sign pays tribute to a family whose roots in the community stretch back to the 1840s. Descendants gathered on Saturday afternoon to join the New Philadelphia Association in dedicating the sign, which shines a spotlight on the heritage of Spaulding and Ann Hadsell Burdick, Abel and […]

The annual Marvin J and Thomas Leo Likes Lecture Series will take place each Tuesday evening in June at 7 pm DST beginning June 6. With several years of online success, we gather online again this year, via Zoom. The Likes Lecture Series began in 2004 as part of the archaeology NSF-REU field school conducted […]