‘Now it never will be forgotten’: Illinois' New Philadelphia becomes a national park

Gerald McWorter has a deep appreciation for his familial roots.

His Aunt Thelma, the family’s resident family historian, told him stories about the small Pike County, Illinois, town his great-great-grandparents founded nearly 200 years ago. The stories of New Philadelphia and Frank and Lucy McWorter always centered on the importance of family.

“What Frank and Lucy did was devote their lives really to making sure that on the one hand, they provided a place for the family in Pike County and New Philadelphia,” McWorter said. “At the same time, they devoted their economic activity to freeing family members out of slavery.”