PLEASE NOTE: This event has already occurred.
Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/05/2026
7:00 pm
Location
Urbana Free Library
Categories
This program is intended for adults.
Discover the story of Frank McWorter and New Philadelphia, the first US town platted and registered by an African American.
This program tells the story of the Frank McWorter family, the interracial town of New Philadelphia and freedom struggles across west central Illinois and the state, and in the context of the nineteenth century struggle for freedom nationally. Frank McWorter was born enslaved but worked to purchase the freedom of his wife, himself and fourteen other family members including grandchildren.
Gerald McWorter (Abdul Alkalimat) is professor emeritus of African American studies and information at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the great-great-grandson of Frank and Lucy McWorter, the founders of New Philadelphia.
Kate Williams-McWorter is associate professor emerita of information at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and co-author with Gerald of the book New Philadelphia.
This program is co-sponsored by Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad Speakers Bureau.
The Library is committed to making programs accessible for all. If you need an accommodation to attend a program, please let the Library know at least two weeks in advance. To request an accommodation, contact the Programming and Outreach Manager via email at programming@urbanafree.org or via phone at 217-367-4057.
Please remember that events may be canceled or rescheduled last minute due to unpredictable weather or other factors. We encourage you to reach out to event organizers before heading out to an event to verify it is still happening.
