Park in Progress: New Philadelphia National Historic Site

Just like these daisies in Lucy's Butterfly Garden, a bright future is blooming at New Philadelphia!

NPS photo.

New Philadelphia National Historic Site was established on December 29, 2022. It is one of our nation’s newest national park sites. Being so new, we are just beginning our journey. New national parks remain in their infancy for the first 10 years after they are established. So, we have a long way to go and much work to do.

But the National Park Service is building on the work of generations to carefully preserve New Philadelphia. We are ready to continue that work, knowing that the African American freedom journey is at the heart of the story.

That story is special at New Philadelphia. Before the Civil War, residents successfully fought against slavery. As African American residents worked to create more freedom for themselves, they also created chances for others. Both African American and European American people came to New Philadelphia. The town became a multicultural community that supported everyone who lived there.

In that spirit, we move forward with the help of partners, local communities, and New Philadelphia descendants. Together, we will build a park that lasts forever.

What does it take to make a park that lasts forever?
A lot! And the earliest actions we take are often invisible to the public eye. In New Philadelphia’s spirit of welcome and community, we invite you into the journey.

Check in here to explore the latest updates, projects, and how you can be a part of it.

 

 

About the National Historic Site

What is New Philadelphia? What happened there?

New Philadelphia is the first known U.S. town platted and legally registered by African American people.

It was founded by Free Frank and Free Lucy McWorter, two formerly enslaved people from Kentucky, during the era of America’s westward expansion. Located on the western edge of American settlement, New Philadelphia residents made America’s expanding borderlands a place of opportunity, autonomy, and agency for African American people.

It was an abolitionist village whose members supported African American agency in the fight against slavery. The McWorter family used money raised through farming and selling town lots to purchase more of their family members out of slavery. They, and other residents, also assisted freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad despite great personal risk to their own safety.

The McWorters also used New Philadelphia to create a community that cared for its members. Frank McWorter sold town lots to both African American and European American people. New Philadelphia became a rare integrated community with no reports of racial violence – before the Civil War.

What does the site encompass?

The National Historic Site’s boundary includes the area of the original 1836 town.

None of the original 1800s buildings are still standing. Today, the town lies beneath your feet. The site preserves a rich archeological record of the town, with power to further our understanding of race, identity, material culture, freedom activities, community building, and rural life in the 1800s and 1900s.

Traces of the town are still visible. The gravel road running through the site still follows the original town plat. And the agricultural setting connects us to the McWorters, who introduced agriculture to the landscape as part of their freedom seeking activity.

Three non-original cabins stand near the site entrance. They are placed on top of original New Philadelphia building foundations.

The Burdick House, 0.25 miles down the gravel road from the site entrance, remains the last above-ground connection to a New Philadelphia family. It was built by Virgil Burdick in 1941, replacing an 1860s house that stood beside it. Virgil was descended from Spaulding Burdick, the first person to purchase a town lot from Free Frank McWorter. The Burdick family was among the first, and last families to reside in New Philadelphia, calling it home for over 100 years. The Burdick House is not open to the public, but you are welcome to walk around the grounds.

An entrance kiosk and augmented reality tour provide information about New Philadelphia’s history. Both are located on lands owned and preserved by the New Philadelphia Association. The New Philadelphia Association is working with the National Park Service to transfer these lands to the national park system.

Transferring Lands to the National Park Service

All lands within the National Historic Site boundary are not owned by the National Park Service (NPS). The New Philadelphia Association owns and stewards the entrance kiosk, augmented reality trail, and 3 cabins. They are working with the National Park Service to transfer ownership of these lands to the national park system.

Visitors are welcome to explore the New Philadelphia Association’s property. They may also explore NPS property, which includes the west and south sides of the 0.25-mile gravel street. NPS lands also include the Burdick House grounds, located south of the entrance kiosk on the gravel street.

Private property surrounds the site, so please be alert for “private property” or “no trespassing” signs while exploring. Please respect fences.

There are brown street signs marking the original New Philadelphia streets. If you stay within those signs, you are within the site. Maiden Lane is the eastern boundary; Green Street is the western boundary; and South Street is the southern boundary.

 

What's Happening Now?

Foundation Documents

The National Park Service is working with stakeholders and descendants to develop a Foundation Document for New Philadelphia National Historic Site.

A Foundation Document provides guidance for management and future planning decisions. It will identify New Philadelphia’s purpose, significance, fundamental resources and values, and interpretive themes. It will also communicate a single, shared understanding of what is most important about the park to stakeholders and NPS employees.

For more information about creating Foundation Documents, visit the NPS Park Planning website.

Working With Lincoln Home National Historic Site

New Philadelphia National Historic Site is now administered by Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Working together brings many benefits. More staff and resources will help New Philadelphia expand services to the public. That includes communication through social media. Check out the Lincoln Home NHS Facebook page for New Philadelphia updates!

It also includes a contact station in the Lincoln Home NHS visitor center in Springfield, Illinois (70 miles east of New Philadelphia). Lincoln Home rangers can assist you with New Philadelphia information. New Philadelphia brochures and Passport Stamps are also available there, 7 days a week.

Please be aware that the mailing address for New Philadelphia NHS is NOT the same as its physical address.

To visit New Philadelphia, go to: 29766 306 Lane, Barry, IL 62312.

To contact New Philadelphia NHS staff:

• Call [phone]
• Send letters to: New Philadelphia NHS, c/o Lincoln Home NHS 413 S. 8th Street, Springfield, IL 62701
• Email us

Volunteers-In-Parks

Working with Lincoln Home National Historic Site, we are recruiting volunteers!

In these early years, volunteers can make a big difference in New Philadelphia’s growth. Their time and talents help the site complete much needed foundational tasks. And that has a long-lasting impact. Volunteering at New Philadelphia today will help build a park that lasts for generations to come.

Currently, the site is seeking help with digital content creation and historic research. There will be opportunities to volunteer in other kinds of work as the site develops. That includes helping with interpretive programs, grounds maintenance, and special events. Volunteer positions will be posted on Volunteer.gov as they become available.

For more information about volunteering, please contact Ranger Quinn Gilly by email or by phone: [phone]. 

Website Development

Imagine you are planning to go somewhere that you have never gone before. What would you want to know before going? Where would you look for that information?

Is your answer the internet? At least 80% of park visitors will look at a park’s website before they arrive. And many people rely on websites to learn about the park when they can’t visit in person. That includes students and teachers!

With that in mind, New Philadelphia’s rangers are primarily focusing on building a robust and useful website. We will begin with trip planning information. Then we will work to develop historic information.

We strive to create an excellent online experience. That includes our commitment to accessibility and useability on mobile devices. Keep checking in to see our progress!

Do you have suggestions? Send them to a ranger by emailing us!

 

What to Expect During Your Visit

The National Historic Site is in its infancy. Many of the products and services you might expect at other parks are not yet available. But there are still plenty of ways to experience this fledgling site! Find activities on the Things to Do page.

Know Before You Go!

Onsite facilities and services are limited. Please plan ahead and be prepared for the following:

• There are no restrooms or water fountains.
• There is no visitor center or bookstore onsite.
• Park Rangers are not regularly onsite. If there is an emergency, call 911.
• Passport to Your National Parks® stamps are not available on site. Find out where you can get them on the Passport Stamps page.
• Paved parking is available. There is no RV or trailer parking.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there ranger-guided tours or talks at the site?

There are no regularly scheduled ranger programs at the site. Please check this webpage for updates about ranger programs as the site develops.

Is there a Junior Ranger program?

The site does not yet have a Junior Ranger program or badges. We do not have a confirmed date on when a program will be available. In the meantime, check out the following related Junior Ranger books.

Junior Archaeologist Program. Archeology plays a role in helping us understand life at New Philadelphia and in free, multicultural, rural communities in the 1800s and early 1900s. You can download a copy of the Junior Archaeologist booklet on this webpage. It also provides directions on getting the Junior Archaeologist badge.

Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Junior Ranger Book. New Philadelphia residents helped freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. This book exlpores freedom seekers' experiences and the many ways they fought against slavery.

Can you mail me a "unigrid" brochure?

The site does not yet have a standard unigrid brochure. We do offer 2 informational brochures:

• “New Philadelphia: The Pursuit of Freedom on the Illinois Frontier.”
• “McWorter, Lincoln, and the Philadelphia Dream.”

Learn more on the brochures page.

Is there a bookshop?

Books and products about New Philadelphia are available at the America’s National Parks store in the Lincoln Home National Historic Site visitor center.

Is there a visitor center?

There is no staffed visitor center at New Philadelphia. Visitors can go to the entrance kiosk for brochures, wayside exhibits, scenic views, and public WiFi.

Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Currently, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site visitor center serves as a contact station for New Philadelphia. Lincoln Home is located in Springfield, Illinois, 84 miles east of the site.

Brochures are available under the digital displays. Books about New Philadelphia and Passport stamps are available in the bookstore. Ask the salesperson for the New Philadelphia stamp.

I'm a teacher. Can I bring my students to New Philadelphia for a field trip?

Schools may bring their students to New Philadelphia. However, the NPS does not currently offer ranger-guided education programs at the site. The site is still in its early development. Education programming will be developed in the years ahead.

If you would like to speak to a ranger about field trips or education programs, please contact us.

Things teachers should know:

• There are no restrooms or water fountains on site.
• There are no picnic benches or trash cans. Carry all trash out with you.
• There are no indoor facilities. Check weather forecasts and plan appropriately.
• There is no parking area for busses. After students are dropped off, busses can park at the Barry Travel Plaza, 4 miles west of the site.
• First Aid kits and AEDs are not available at the site.
• In case of emergency, call 911. You are at 29766 306 Lane in Barry, Illinois 62312.

My students are working on a class project. Can they send letters to a ranger?

Students are welcome to send letters to a ranger! However, staffing is limited and it may take 2 to 3 weeks for a ranger to respond. It could take longer depending on the complexity of the assignment. Please keep this in mind when setting due dates for students.

 

Trip Planning

Use these pages to plan your trip to New Philadelphia.