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Camp Nelson War Heritage Park

Unfortunately for the soldier's wives and children emancipation did not immediately come with their husbands' enlistment.  They were still legally enslaved and in November 1864 they were ejected from camp.  Due to freezing weather about 100 of the 400 refugee women and children died after this ejection and anational uproar occurred.  This uproar led to a reversal in the army's policy and the contruction of the "Home for Colored Refugees" at Camp Nelson and ultimately the March 1865 Congressional Act freeing th wives, children, and mothers of the USCT.  To many African Americans, Camp Nelson was synonymous with freedom, as a USCT seargeant stated:  "It used to be five hundred miles to get to Canada from Lexington, but now it's only eighteen miles!  Camp Nelson is now our Canada."

Visitor Information: Currently open to public.

Location: 6614 Old Danville Pike, Nicholasville, Jessamine, 40356

National Park Unit: No

Ownership: Mary H. Kozah

Location Type: Site