NPS Camp Nelson 1865The US Army established Camp Nelson on April 29, 1863. Over the next three years, the site served as a fortified supply depot, hospital, recruitment and training center, and refugee camp. The National Park Service (NPS) commemorates the 160th Camp Nelson (2023-26) with a series of special events, programs, and multi-media presentations! 
Library of Congress and University of Kentucky 2025 Fall and WinterJoin the NPS for special programs this fall and winter at Camp Nelson National Monument! The calendar features a diverse array of events, including a volunteer opportunity, campfire programs, archeology, and the very first night sky program at the park! All events are free and open to the public. 5th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk Saturday, November 22, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm We invite you to participate in the 5th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk to mark the 160th anniversary of Camp Nelson's largest expulsion starting at 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 22, 2025. On November 23, 1864, over 400 African American refugees, including the wives and children of US Colored Troops [USCT] were expelled from Camp Nelson during the Civil War. It was at least the eighth and largest expulsion of Black refugees from the base and resulted in the deaths of at least 102 souls. The November Expulsion led to the establishment of the Home for Colored Refugees at Camp Nelson and the Congressional act which emancipated the wives and children of USCT soldiers. The special event features interpretive talks by NPS staff and invited guests and a guided walk to Graveyard No. 1, where over 100 luminaries will be light to honor the people expelled and other freedom seekers who sought refuge at Camp Nelson. The program begins outside the Barracks building, located adjacent to the Visitor Center and Museum. Campfire Program: "Even While War Still Rages... Ought It Not To Be A Merry Christmas?" Saturday, December 6, 2025 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Join us for an evening around the campfire. Usher in the holiday season with park staff and explore celebrations of Christmas during the Civil War Era. Visitors should bring camping chairs and blankets and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Meet NPS Staff at the Visitor Center Holiday History Hike Saturday, December 13, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Usher in the holiday season and a new year with the final special event in 2025 at Camp Nelson National Monument. NPS staff will lead visitors on a guided hike to explore the site’s rich natural and historic resources, including Camp Nelson’s role is a supply depot, recruit center, and refugee site during the Civil War, and the modern preservation of the park and its development as the 418th unit of the National Park Service. The hike is 2-miles long on paved and grass paths and will involve moderate inclines. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather and bring water.Meet NPS staff at the Visitor Center. Camp Nelson National Monument 6614 Danville Road Loop 2 Nicholasville, KY 40356 
Library of Congress The Unchartered Road to FreedomAfter the Army of the Ohio’s successful liberation of East Tennessee, the US Army nearly abandoned Camp Nelson as fortified supply depot in March 1864. However, the army’s controversial decision to organize, recruit, and train US Colored Troops [USCT] at Camp Nelson and other centers in Kentucky sparked the destruction of slavery in the Bluegrass State. 
National Archives and Records Administration Army of LiberationClick here to learn about the formation of the Army of the Ohio and its operations in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee over the course of 1863. The new army was organized to liberate Unionists in East Tennessee from Confederate occupation and it would ultimately achieve that objective, but it would require marching far and fighting hard. The 21st Massachusetts Infantry was only one of many regiments in the Army of the Ohio, but the experiences of its members reveal both the hardships and triumphs of the 1863 campaign. 
NPS Civil War 160th in 60The National Park Service (NPS) commemorates the 160th Anniversary of Camp Nelson (2023-26) in a brand-new video series: Civil War 160th in 60!
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Last updated: November 14, 2025