News Release

Camp Nelson National Monument Announces January Calendar and the American Conservation Experience Fence Project

News Release Date: January 10, 2024 Contact: Steve T. Phan, 859-382-6902, e-mail us
 

NICHOLASVILLE, KY – The National Park Service (NPS) is excited to announce the operatinghours, January calendar, and completion of the American Conservation Experience Fence Projectat Camp Nelson National Monument. The park’s Visitor Center and Museum is open 5-days aweek (Wednesday-Sunday). The building will be open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Guided tours will beoffered on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, and when staffing allows. Thegrounds remain open sunrise to sunset, including on Monday, January 15th, in observance of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The January calendar features the start of the 3rd Annual Winter Lecture Series. The specialprograms feature guest speakers who present on a variety of topic related to the Civil War Era.The presentations take place on select Saturdays starting at 11:00 am at the park. The 1.5-hourprograms are free and open to the public.

January 13th: Dr. Lucas Wilder, Historian and Park Ranger at Cumberland GapNational Historical Park, “Our Hold Upon East Tennessee”: The Knoxville Campaign 

January 27th: Dr. Chuck Welsko, Digital Documentary Editor, Kentucky HistoricalSociety, “Rebellion, Calamity, and Woe: Governor Thomas E. Bramlette’s Unionism inWar and Memory”

Beginning in November 2023, the NPS partnered with the American Conservation Experience(ACE) to remove modern cattle fencing and install a brand-new split-rail fence along the westernboundary of the park. The American Conservation Experience is "a non-profit organizationdedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities for young adults andemerging professionals of all backgrounds to explore and improve public lands while gainingpractical professional experience."

The fence parallels US-27 and extends from the grounds north of the White House then runssouth to the park’s boundary with Camp Nelson National Cemetery. The project is part of ourshort and long-term plans to restore the historic landscape of Camp Nelson back to the Civil WarEra. The ACE crews worked efficiently and safely to complete the project on December 15th.On behalf of the NPS, we express our gratitude to the ACE members for their incredible effortsthroughout the 8-week project. Their impact on this park is monumental. Our Facilities Lead,Luke Perkins worked very closely with the ACE crews and had this to say about the experience:

I have really enjoyed working alongside the ACE crew these past eight weeks. From thefirst day I was amazed at the camaraderie, work ethic, and dedication to the team'soverall safety. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the members of the ACE Crew viable hardskills that they can lake with them to other projects with them to other projects andbeyond. I wish that every group that partners with Camp Nelson would be as easy goingand dedicated to the mission that this group was. I enjoyed getting to know every memberof each hitch, not only a professional level, but a personal level as well. I would likeeveryone to know that I am more than happy to give a positive professional reference forall who participated in this project. I look forward look the future and hope to utilize theACE program in other upcoming projects.

#FindYourPark

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

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