Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.

Avoid Ticks on Site!

Ticks are very active at New Philadelphia. Use insect repellant and stay on trails. Avoid brushing against logs, shrubs, and grasses. Check your body for ticks after your visit. Learn more about keeping safe from ticks on the Safety page.

Title New Philadelphia
Park Code neph
Description 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 former...
Location
Contact
573-880-3120
quinn_gilly@nps.gov
Activities
  • Guided Tours
Entrance fees
Campgrounds Count: 0
Places Count: 1

New Philadelphia National Historic Site

New Philadelphia was the first known town planned and legally registered by an African American before the Civil War. Frank McWorter, a formerly enslaved man from Kentucky, founded the town in 1836 and bought his freedom and the freedom of 15 family members. New Philadelphia National Historic Site was established as a national park on December 29, 2022.
Visitor Centers Count: 0
Things to do Count: 4

  • Find Flowers and Butterflies in Lucy's Garden
  • New Philadelphia buzzes to life in Lucy’s Butterfly Garden! The wildflowers in this garden represent the types of plants that greeted the McWorters when they arrived. Today, bright flowers greet many native butterflies, moths, and bees.

  • Go Birding at New Philadelphia
  • Birds provide a living link to the past in New Philadelphia. Forest and field habitats continue to shelter many species that graced – and inspired – the McWorters. Bring your binoculars and your ears to look and listen for Eastern Meadowlarks, Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, and more.

  • Take a Self-Guided Augmented Reality Tour!
  • Today, few hints of life in New Philadelphia remain above ground. Peek into the past with the New Philadelphia Association’s augmented reality app! Download the free app onto your mobile device. Animated people and structures will appear on the screen, revealing the town that once stood here.

  • Visit the New Philadelphia Information Kiosk
  • Start your experience at the Information Kiosk. Brochures and basic information are available here. Allow yourself at least a few minutes to explore exhibits that introduce you to the town’s history. The Information Kiosk is open all hours, daily.
Tours Count: 0
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