News Release

August 2023 Calendar, 160th Anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign, and a Call for Volunteers

News Release Date: July 31, 2023

Contact: Steve Phan, 859-382-6902

NICHOLASVILLE, KY – The National Park Service (NPS) announces that the visitor center at Camp Nelson National Monument is currently open 7-days a week. The building is open 9:00 am to 5: 00 pm. The grounds remain open sunrise to sunset.  

The NPS is excited to share our August Calendar featuring the largest event of the year:  The 160^th Anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign on August 11-13, 2023 
 

Friday, August 11^th: Volunteer Event: Flag Placement (9:00 am – 12:30) 

We’re calling for volunteers to assist with placing 1,900 flags along the Northern Defenses earthwork line on Friday, August 11th at Camp Nelson National Monument. The flags pay tribute to the 1,900 enslaved African American who were impressed by the US Army to construct roads and earthworks in Central Kentucky, especially at Camp Nelson in 1863-64. 

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact the park via email: [e-mail] or by phone, 859-881-5716. 

Participants should wear comfortable clothes and bring water. 

The 160th Anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign begins that evening, Friday, August 11^th, starting with the special program, “Between Freedom and Bondage: Remembering and Honoring Laborers at Camp Nelson.” (7:00 – 8:30 pm) 
 

160^th Anniversary of the Knoxville Campaign 

The Army of the Ohio launched the long-awaited East Tennessee offensive from Camp Nelson on August 16, 1863. The campaign successfully liberated civilian Unionists who had suffered under Confederate occupation since 1861. The inhabitants referred to Major General Ambrose E. Burnside's force as the "Army of Liberation." 

The commemorative weekend features immersive living history demonstrations and programs, ranger guided tours, history presentations, and children's activities. 

The Schedule of Events can be found on the park’s website and Facebook page: 

Website: www.nps.gov/cane  

Facebook: https:www.facebook.com/CampNelsonNPS  

 

#FindYourPark 

Camp Nelson National Monument, the 418^th unit of the National Park Service, is located six miles south of Nicholasville, KY on Highway 27 and directly north of the Camp Nelson National Cemetery.  

For more information, visit the park’s website at: www.nps.gov/cane or the park’s Facebook page at https:www.facebook.com/CampNelsonNPS.