I traveled to Omaha last week to deliver some paperwork on the New Philadelphia National Historic Site project we have been working on for some time. As long-time President of the New Philadelphia Association, I am proud to have been a part of this important recognition, and shepherd it through the process of being part of the National Park System.

New Philadelphia National Historic Site in west central Illinois is the site of the first U.S. town platted and legally registered by an African American, “Free” Frank McWhorter. Established in 1836, it was an abolitionist village where African Americans and European Americans lived and farmed for decades.

Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) visited the site outside of Barry, Illinois in early August to herald the designation of New Philadelphia as a National Park site. Sen. Durbin drafted legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL 16) sponsored the legislation in the House. New Philadelphia became a National Park site in December 2022.

Today, it continues to grow as a National Park site for learning and appreciation. There’s a mobile app for visitors to access animated vignettes of New Philadelphia history unfolding in front of where they took place. There are also signs that tell the history of the area.

In the left picture, Sen. Durbin uses augmented technology to learn about the New Philadelphia site. In the right picture, Sen. Durbin (center), receives a plaque from Gerald McWorter, descendant of “Free” Frank McWhorter.

As with many things in life, there’s more to this story, including completing the four-lane highway – I-72, also known as the Central Illinois Expressway. It was one of the last interstate highways proposed to be built under President Dwight Eisenhower’s plan to improve the nations roadways through the interstate system.

You can read all about I-72, New Philadelphia National Park Site, and more adventures it in my book Your Food, My Adventure, available on the website https://yourfoodmyadventure.com