The New Philadelphia Association (NPA) is pleased to announce that New Philadelphia National Historic Site has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Jefferson National Parks Association’s BlueSky Opportunity Fund. This funding will support the launch of “Our Past, Our Voices,” an innovative initiative designed to bring the rich history of New Philadelphia to life […]

On Juneteenth we commemorate the day freedom was finally enforced for the last enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865. For the New Philadelphia Association, this history carries a deeply personal connection. Squire McWorter Jr., grandson of Free Frank McWorter, served in the U.S. Colored Troops 38th Infantry Regiment. In 1865, he was transferred […]

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 […]

The New Philadelphia Association cordially invites you to attend Free Frank Freedom Day, an inspiring community event celebrating the historic achievement of Free Frank McWorter, who purchased his freedom and founded New Philadelphia, the first town in the United States platted and legally registered by an African American. The event will take place on Saturday, September […]

We are excited to share an amazing addition to the documentation of New Philadelphia’s story. Scholars Gerald and Kate McWorter have found an 1825 wanted ad (attached) documenting the freedom flight of Frank, Jr., son of town founders Frank and Lucy McWorter. Such ads were common in the South before the Civil War; this one was […]

The “Fund for New Philadelphia” campaign is in the quiet phase. Our $1.5 M campaign for the purchase of land that was part of the original New Philadelphia footprint will allow further research and education about our history. For more information, contact Diana Stroud; dstroud@illinois.edu or 217-621-2878

The New Philadelphia Association is announcing the topics and speakers for its annual Marvin J. and Thomas Leo Likes Lecture Series, which will take place each Tuesday evening in June at 7 PM CDT beginning June 3. With several years of online success, the Lecture Series will be offered online via Zoom. The lectures are […]

This amazing video was produced by WTVP PBS from Peoria, IL, as part of a program entitled You Gotta See This!  It’s a monthly WTVP PBS original production that they say offers captivating and fascinating people, places, and stories from central Illinois. A film crew was on-site at the New Philadelphia National Historic Site at the end […]

With more going on here and nearby, we’re offering this calendar and hoping to update it occasionally. Catch us at one of these and share what else we need to know of!   March 28-29: Freedom Corridor conference in Jacksonville, IL http://publish.illinois.edu/freedomcorridor April 22-23: Three people from NPA attend Creative Storytelling workshop in St. Louis, […]

This book tells the 200 year history of New Philadelphia . . . in 200 pages . . . with 200 photos!  Get your copy: 1. We ship to you from the post office for $25 including postage: click the yellow button below. 2. Order it from our Springfield retailer Books on the Square.  They […]