News Release

New Philadelphia National Historic Site Receives $25,000 Grant to Launch Community Storytelling Programs

An early‑1900s photograph of New Philadelphia highlights the many people who formed this multiracial community. A grant from the Jefferson National Parks Association will help bring these voices to life through live storytelling.

Courtesy of Gerald McWorter and Kate Williams-McWorter

News Release Date: July 2, 2026 SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— New Philadelphia National Historic Site has received a $25,000 grant from Jefferson National Parks Association’s BlueSky Opportunity Fund to support a new community-driven interpretation initiative, “Our Past, Our Voices: Building Community through Citizen Storytelling at New Philadelphia.” This 18-month project will build a sustainable, community-centered interpretation experience for the site.

The project will develop Storytelling Stations that feature historical, first-person vignettes of New Philadelphia residents. These stations will combine live storytelling with text and digital content that will be accessible on site and online. The project will also train citizen storytellers by inviting community members to participate in monthly workshops where they can learn to present the program and help share local history with national audiences.

The grant will also support new, paid internships that will focus on historical research and interpretive narrative development in partnership with Illinois College, the University of Illinois Springfield, and the New Philadelphia Association.

“This project strengthens our ability to share the stories of New Philadelphia,” said park superintendent Chris Collins. “We look forward to working with students and community members who want to help share the history of this remarkable place.

Information about internship opportunities and Citizen Storyteller workshops will be shared by New Philadelphia National Historic Site as the project progresses.