# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Seven Ways to Freedom: The New Philadelphia Story
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 05 Feb, 2026 at 07:00 pm – Thu, 05 Feb, 2026 at 08:00 pm
- **Event Description**: 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.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/urbana/seven-ways-to-freedom-the-new-philadelphia-story/200029620822434
- **Event Categories**: art, literary-art, nonprofit, it
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 9

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Urbana
- **state**: IL
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 210 W Green Street, Urbana, IL, United States, Illinois 61801
- **lat**: 40.11133
- **long**: -88.20921
- **full address**: 210 W Green Street, Urbana, IL, United States, Illinois 61801

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Seven Ways to Freedom: The New Philadelphia Story
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/c0d3b943e067bde77bfe51a57b3b269988cfe470bb9a375e549fe43fe17e9d61-rimg-w1200-h675-dcbdab92-gmir?v=1770188794

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Seven Ways to Freedom: The New Philadelphia Story being held?
  - **A:** Seven Ways to Freedom: The New Philadelphia Story takes place on Thu, 05 Feb, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Thu, 05 Feb, 2026 at 08:00 pm at 210 W Green Street, Urbana, IL, United States, Illinois 61801.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Seven Ways to Freedom: The New Philadelphia Story?
  - **A:** Seven Ways to Freedom: The New Philadelphia Story is organized by The Urbana Free Library.

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        "startDate": "2026-02-05",
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        "description": "Discover the story of Frank McWorter and New Philadelphia, the first US town platted and registered by an African American.\n\nThis 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 th",
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                "description": "Located in the heart of downtown Urbana at the corner of Race and Green.    The Urbana Free Library has a commitment to excellent public service.  So, go ahead - ask for our help.  It's what we do best!"
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