Ep 3. New Philadelphia, Illinois

Time Team America is a television series that takes viewers on a journey through archeological digs across America. Each episode focuses on a different site and the history that lies beneath it. Season 1, Episode 3 explores the town of New Philadelphia, Illinois.

New Philadelphia was a unique town in the mid-1800s because it was the first known town in America to be founded by a black man, Frank McWorter. McWorter was born into slavery in the late 1700s and was able to purchase his freedom in 1817. He worked hard as a farmer and was eventually able to buy his wife and children out of slavery as well. In 1836, McWorter purchased 80 acres of land in Illinois and began the process of developing a town.

McWorter envisioned a place where black families could have the same opportunities as white families. He divided the town into 144 lots and sold them, making sure that each buyer was a black person looking for a place to call their own. The town grew quickly and was a thriving community by the mid-1800s. The people of New Philadelphia were able to put their own stamp on the town, building their own churches, businesses, and schools.

The Time Team America crew arrived in New Philadelphia with the goal of exploring the town's rich history. They were joined by Dr. Cheryl LaRoche, an archeologist who has spent years studying the history of African Americans in America. Dr. LaRoche served as a consultant and guide for the team throughout their stay in New Philadelphia.

The team began their investigation by surveying the land around the town. They used ground-penetrating radar to get a sense of what might lie beneath the surface. They also searched through old maps and documents to learn more about the town's layout and any historical records that might be available.

Once they had a sense of what areas to investigate, the team started digging. They first focused on the town square, where they believed the town's main buildings would have been located. They uncovered a foundation that they believed was the remains of one of the town's businesses.

Next, the team turned their attention to the town's church. They were hoping to find evidence of the important role that religion played in the lives of the people of New Philadelphia. The team was excited when they uncovered the church's foundation, but they were surprised when they also found evidence of a larger building nearby. Further investigation revealed that the larger building was a school, which was a significant finding because it proved that education was also a priority for the people of New Philadelphia.

Throughout their stay in New Philadelphia, the Time Team America crew made many interesting discoveries. They found evidence of the town's water supply system, as well as artifacts that shed light on the daily lives of the people who lived there. They also discovered that the town was built on the site of an old Native American village, which was an important reminder of the rich history of the land.

Overall, the Time Team America crew had a successful investigation in New Philadelphia. They were able to uncover important pieces of history that had been buried for over 150 years. The team's findings helped to paint a picture of a thriving town that was built by and for black people in a time when they faced significant challenges. The episode was a testament to the importance of preserving history and learning from the past.