New Philadelphia & Hannibal Day Trip

This trip blends fact and fiction, revealing the stories of African Americans whose lives began in enslavement and endured struggles even after receiving freedom.

In the past 25 years, the history of Free Frank McWorter has resurfaced as the town he founded, now called New Philadelphia, has been studied and acknowledged as the first town in the United States to be platted and registered by an African-American. McWorter and his wife, Free Lucy McWorter, established a farm in 1831, and the community began to develop, first with other family members and eventually as an integrated town that was also a station on the Underground Railroad. It survived for more than 100 years before the remaining structures were torn down and the property returned to farmland. From 2004 to 2011, the town was studied by the New Philadelphia Archaeological Project—a partnership between the Illinois State Museum, New Philadelphia Association, seven universities, and several federal, state and county agencies. The New Philadelphia town site is now on the National Register of Historic Places. We will be joined there by representatives of the New Philadelphia Association.

In Hannibal, The Huck FinnFreedom Center tells thestories of African American residents throughout thetown’s history. Mark Twain’s book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tells the storyof Jim, a slave trying to escapeto freedom. The exhibit, Jim’sJourney tells the story of Daniel Quarles, the man who is believed to have been Twain’s inspiration for the character. Executive Director Faye Dant will talk about developing the Center to include community experiences of segregation,integration, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights movement.

Highlights will include:

• Trip hosts Dr. Terrance and Claire Martin (see more below)
• New Philadelphia walking tour and discussion with members of the New Philadelphia Association
• Huck Finn Freedom Center and Jim’s Journey with remarks by Executive Director Faye Dant
• Time to explore downtown Hannibal

Cost Includes:

• Chartered motorcoach
• Lunch and snacks
• Admission to both sites
• Educational presentations

Cost (per person):

• Members: $114
• Non-Members: $129

Payment Deadlines

• $75 per person deposit due by Monday, August 5
• Final balance due by Friday, September 6

Space is limited.

Register Now! To register by mail, print and complete this form.

Hosts:
Claire Fuller Martin (M.A., Michigan State University) is a Research Associate in Anthropology at ISM—Springfield.  She began researching the families of 19^th-century New Philadelphia as part of the New Philadelphia Archaeological Project (2004-2011) and is the author of several articles and public presentations on the New Philadelphia community. Holding degrees in both history and anthropology, she currently cares for the ethnographic collections of the State Museum.

Terrance J. Martin, (Ph.D., Michigan State University, and Registered Professional Archaeologist) is Emeritus Curator of Anthropology at the ISM—Springfield. Specializing in zooarchaeology, he is the author or coauthor of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports. He was co-director of the New Philadelphia archaeological project (2004-2011). He received the Charles J. Bareis Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Archaeological Survey in 2017 and an Award of Merit from the Society for Historical Archaeology in 2019.

Trip coordinators:
Elizabeth Bazan, Interim Director of Education
Judy Wagenblast, ISM Volunteer

Cancelation policy: For cancellations made before September 6, no deposits will be refunded unless the spot can be filled. If the spot is filled, the cancellation fee will be 25% of the deposit. After September 6, no refund will be given unless the spot can be filled. If the spot is filled the cancellation fee will be 25% of the total trip fee. Full refunds will be granted if the trip is cancelled for any reason.