New Philadelphia National Historic Site

New Philadelphia National Historic Site is partnering with Lincoln Home National Historic Site to host a free, public presentation for Black History Month titled "New Philadelphia: Its Connections to Springfield and the 1908 Race Riot". The talk will take place at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site Visitor Center (426 S. 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62701) on Saturday, February 28th at 2:00 PM. The presentation will be about 45 minutes and will be given in Theater 1 inside the Visitor Center. The talk will be followed by a question-and-answer opportunity.

Drop in and stop by anytime during the listed hours to chat with a ranger at this informal meetup, who can share a bit of New Philadelphia knowledge with you. Rangers will have interactive activities, information about the site, and good conversation!

Meet rangers at the information kiosk at the site's entrance.

This program may be changed or cancelled due to weather or limited staffing.

Drop in and stop by anytime during the listed hours to chat with a ranger at this informal meetup, who can share a bit of New Philadelphia knowledge with you. Rangers will have interactive activities, information about the site, and good conversation!

Meet rangers at the information kiosk at the site's entrance.

This program may be changed or cancelled due to weather or limited staffing.

Drop in and stop by anytime during the listed hours to chat with a ranger at this informal meetup, who can share a bit of New Philadelphia knowledge with you. Rangers will have interactive activities, information about the site, and good conversation!

Meet rangers at the information kiosk at the site's entrance.

This program may be changed or cancelled due to weather or limited staffing.

Drop in and stop by anytime during the listed hours to chat with a ranger at this informal meetup, who can share a bit of New Philadelphia knowledge with you. Rangers will have interactive activities, information about the site, and good conversation!

Meet rangers at the information kiosk at the site's entrance.

This program may be changed or cancelled due to weather or limited staffing.

Join New Philadelphia National Historic Site as we participate in a nationwide, simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence, coordinated by the Hawaii America 250 Commission. Hear the words that launched a nation. Then reflect on how communities like New Philadelphia worked to make its ideals real for all Americans.

Meet at the information kiosk at the site's entrance. Bring your own chair and bug spray.

Accessibility: If you have specific accessibility needs, like ASL interpretation, please contact us. Call us at 217-492-4241 or email NEPH_Information@nps.gov.

Come see us at the library! On Saturdays during the summer, Park Rangers will set up "history hangout" stations at local libraries. You can drop in and stop by anytime at the listed locations listed to chat with a Ranger and get a National Parks Passport stamp. Rangers will also have Junior Ranger activities, information about the site, and good conversation!

Find us at these locations:

Barry Public Library, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm: 880 Bainbridge Street, Barry, Illinois 62312

Pittsfield Public Library, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: 205 North Memorial Street, Pittsfield, Illinois 62363

This program may be changed or cancelled due to limited staffing. We will announce any changes on the Current Conditions page.

Do you like books? Do you like badges? Join us at the Pittsfield Public Library to get both!

Join Park Rangers and the Pittsfield Public Library between 1:00 and 3:00 PM for special Underground Railroad junior ranger activities.

Rangers will offer families and children a free “Discovering the Underground Railroad” junior ranger booklet. You can work on the activities on your own or explore the activities with a Ranger! The booklets are written for children aged 7 to 12, but Rangers can modify the activities for younger children.

Special “Underground Railroad Network to Freedom” junior ranger badges will be awarded to children who complete the activities.

Can’t make it to the library? Find these activities online! Visit the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom to download a copy of the “Discovering the Underground Railroad” junior ranger booklet.

Do you like books? Do you like badges? Join us at the Barry Public Library to get both!

Join Park Rangers and the Barry Public Library between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM for special Underground Railroad junior ranger activities.

Rangers will offer families and children a free “Discovering the Underground Railroad” junior ranger booklet. You can work on the activities on your own or explore the activities with a Ranger! The booklets are written for children aged 7 to 12, but Rangers can modify the activities for younger children.

Special “Underground Railroad Network to Freedom” junior ranger badges will be awarded to children who complete the activities.

Can’t make it to the library? Find these activities online! Visit the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom to download a copy of the “Discovering the Underground Railroad” junior ranger booklet.

Learning to read and write was important work at New Philadelphia!

It helped African American residents find enslaved family members and run businesses. It also helped them petition the Illinois government for equal treatment. Reading was so important that Free Frank and his neighbors built a school for their children.

Join a Ranger and the Barry Public Library for story time and activities at the that explore themes such as the Underground Railroad, African American history, National Parks, and more.

This children's program occurs on some Saturdays throughout the summer. Check the park’s calendar to find the next scheduled program. Each program consists of reading a story and enjoying a related activity.

We like to think that Free Frank and Free Lucy would smile at us remembering them through reading!

No reservations are required, and you are welcome to attend as frequently or infrequently as you like. While these programs are designed for elementary school ages, they are open to all children.

If you have questions about program times or how to get involved, please email NEPH_Information@nps.gov.