New Philadelphia National Historic Site • Illinois

A grassy field surrounded by forest under a sunny sky with large white clouds.

Four interpretive panels mounted under a covered, open-sided kiosk overlooking a prairie landscape.

A mowed path through prairie. There are numbered signs along the trail.

Twenty children of mixed ages and genders posing for the camera in front of a schoolhouse.

Historic black and white photo of an African American woman seated looking past the camera.

To a casual observer, New Philadelphia looked like a typical Illinois pioneer town. But a closer look revealed a unique and racially diverse community. New Philadelphia was the first US town platted and registered by an African American. A formerly enslaved man, Free Frank McWorter, founded New Philadelphia in 1836 and purchased freedom for himself and 15 family members.

View of New Philadelphia National Historic Site on a sunny day.
NPS Photo

A kiosk houses several informational panels at New Philadelphia National Historic Site.
NPS Photo

Visitors can take a self-guided ¼-mile-long walking tour of the site using an augmented virtual reality app managed by the New Philadelphia Association. The app is available to download for electronic handheld devices, cost-free, at the kiosk.
NPS

Schoolchildren at the New Philadelphia School, October 1925.
Courtesy of Gerald McWorter and Kate Williams McWorter.

Lucy McWorter, Free Frank McWorter’s wife, 1800s.
Courtesy of Pamela and Sheena Franklin

A New Philadelphia National Historic Site sign stands in front of an open-sided information kiosk.

Join us to learn how we are building this new site, and how that might affect your visit.

Four interpretive panels mounted under a covered, kiosk overlooking a prairie landscape.

Planning to visit? Start here! Check out helpful information to plan your visit and know what to expect at this new national park.

A mowed path through prairie. There are numbered signs along the trail for a tour.

Find out what you can do on a visit to New Philadelphia.

A rubber stamp labelled "New Philadelphia National Historic Site" lies on a countertop.

Find out where you can collect stamps for New Philadelphia National Historic Site, including hours and addresses.

Black and white photograph of many people sitting on the sides of a long table full of food.

Learn about New Philadelphia's rich history and management.

Last updated: July 25, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

New Philadelphia National Historic Site
508 S. 8th St
Springfield, IL 62703

Phone:

217-492-4241
This will direct your call to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site visitor center. Lincoln Home NHS staff will be able to assist you.

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