Likes Lecture Series returns with focus on community, cooperation and shared purpose

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 29, 2026

BARRY, Ill. — A lecture series returns in June with a focus on community, cooperation and shared purpose.

The 2026 Marvin J. and Thomas Leo Likes Lecture Series kicks off at 7 p.m. Tuesday via Zoom and continues each Tuesday night in June.

“It’s a great way to learn more about the history of New Philadelphia and also our history in general, a great way to support the people that have struggled for their freedom,” New Philadelphia Association President Kaye Iftner said.

Speakers from across the area will speak on topics ranging from John Wood as abolitionist on Tuesday to why the Civil War still matters, with a look at United States Colored Troops on June 16.

Some 200,000 black men served in USCT between 1863 and 1867, and the presentation will feature the stories of 20 courageous men and women who served in various roles during the Civil War, along with accompanying military documentation and photographs, highlighting soldiers with ties to New Philadelphia.

Between the Louisiana Purchase the Emancipation Proclamation, more than 300 enslaved people demanded their freedom in the St. Louis circuit court, and those “freedom suits” will be the topic for June 9.

“The most famous ‘freedom suit’ people think of is the Dred Scott situation, but there were a number of other ones,” Iftner said. “People sought their freedom through a lot of different ways. Through the legal system was one of them.”

The series broadens the focus on New Philadelphia beyond Free Frank and Lucy McWorter on June 23 to look at other families of the community and Hadley Township.

“There were many other families that were involved in New Philadelphia. In fact, there were more white people than African Americans who lived in New Philadelphia. They contributed to the success of the community and to the history of New Philadelphia and the preservation of the history,” Iftner said.

“A lot of the oral histories that are in our archives, and helped us build the case to be on the Network to Freedom and some of the other designations that we’ve gotten, came from descendants who were not necessarily descendants of Frank and Lucy.”

A bonus session, slated for June 30, offers genealogical resources, tips and information.

“The focus is to encourage the next generation to continue to research, document and learn more about their own individual history,” Iftner said.

The lecture series marks its 22nd year as New Philadelphia marks its 190th anniversary.

“Many programs have come and gone over the years where organizations have attempted to do educational sessions and seminars. Here’s one that actually has been time-tested,” Iftner said. “We started in 2004, and w’ere still engaging the community, the public, and giving people, researchers and historians an opportunity to showcase their research. I think that’s quite an accomplishment.”

Lecture Series Highlights

The Likes Lecture Series takes place on Zoom each Tuesday night in June.

Topics and speakers are:

• June 2 — John Wood: A pioneer, senator, governor and abolitionist by Reg Ankrom.

• June 9 — Freedom Suits and the Freedom Suits Memorial by Paul Venker.

• June 16 — Why the Civil War Still Matters, The United States Colored Troops by Jerilyn James Lee.

• June 23 — New Philadelphia Neighbors by New Philadelphia Association members.

• June 30 — How descendants can reclaim their history by a panel of NPA members.

All lectures are free and open to the public. Registration is required and available online at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MMoQiFeIT6mM3d5sDiBGIA.