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National Historic Site

New Philadelphia National Historic Site

Plan a New Philadelphia trip

About New Philadelphia

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.

From the National Park Service.

State
Illinois
Designation
National Historic Site
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to New Philadelphia.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Operating Hours

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

The site is open to the public with no scheduled operating hours.

Weather and when to go

Temperatures at our site can range from 0°F (-18°C) in the winter to 95°F (35°C) or warmer in the summer. Summers can be very humid, with intense sun, rainstorms, thunderstorms possible. Snow and occasional blizzard conditions are possible in the winter. Please dress appropriately for potential weather conditions and plan ahead.

Getting there

New Philadelphia National Historic Site is in rural western Illinois between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers near Interstate 72. The site can be reached by turning onto 306th Lane from County Highway 2. An informational kiosk is immediately on the left after turning onto 306th Lane. The small city of Barry lies two miles west and has the nearest services. Hannibal, Missouri, is 27 miles west. Springfield, Illinois, is 76 miles east. St. Louis lies about 115 miles south.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
New Philadelphia National Historic Site, 29782 306 Lane, Barry, IL 62312
Official site
nps.gov/neph

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for New Philadelphia

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in New Philadelphia

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Find Flowers and Butterflies in Lucy's Garden

    Wildlife Watching · about 15 min

    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, brigh…

  • Go Birding at New Philadelphia

    Birdwatching · about 2 hours

    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 bino…

  • Take a Self-Guided Augmented Reality Tour!

    Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 35 min

    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…

  • Visit the New Philadelphia Information Kiosk

    Museum Exhibits · about 15 min

    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…

What to pack for New Philadelphia

Gear & Essentials

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The basics

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For this trip

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More park sites in Illinois

All 8 in Illinois All National Historic Sites