NPS/JR Beyond the 160th: "Camp to Community"The National Park Service (NPS) commemorated the 160th Anniversary of Camp Nelson which began in April 2023 and ended in July 2026. During the past 4-years, we’ve organized special events, programs, and projects which highlight the national significance of this site during the Civil War, 1863-66. 
NPS/AG 2026 Fall and WinterJoin the NPS for special programs this summer and fall at Camp Nelson National Monument! The calendar features a diverse array of events, including conclusion of the 160th Anniversary of Camp Nelson (1866) and the launch of the "From Camp to Community" Interpretive Project. All events are free and open to the public. From Camp to Community From Camp to Community special events and progrram at Camp Nelson National Monument and at sites and institutions across Kentucky and the US.
Fall History Hike
October 24, 2026 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Join the National Park Service (NPS) as we usher in a new season with the Fall History Hike at Camp Nelson National Monument! NPS staff will lead visitors on a guided hike to explore the site’s rich natural and historic resources, especially Camp Nelson’s role is a supply depot, recruit center, and refugee site during the Civil War, and the modern preservation of the park. The hike will be conducted on paved and grass paths and will involve moderate inclines. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water. Meet NPS staff at the Visitor Center. #NationalParkService #Fall #Hiking
People of Camp Nelson
November 6, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm The University of St. Andrews, in partnership with Bethel Church and the National Park Service (NPS), invites you to a special presentation, “People of Camp Nelson,” starting at 6:00 pm on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Bethel Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The program shares new research and sheds light on the experiences of African American soldiers and civilians who experienced Camp Nelson during and after the Civil War, and commences the 6th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk the following evening at Camp Nelson National Monument. Attendees are encouraged to bring and share connections to and reach about Camp Nelson, Civil War Kentucky, and the African American experience. Food and refreshments will be provided. The program is free and open to the public. If you’re interested in attending, please reserve a seat by emailing St. Andrews University: monuments@st-andrews.ac.uk Address:Bethel Church 108 North York Street Nicholasville, KY 40356
6th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk
November 7, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm The National Park Service (NPS) invites you to participate in the 6th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk which pays tribute to all freedom seekers who sought refuge at Camp Nelson during the Civil War. The special event starts at 6:00 pm on Saturday, November 7, 2026. 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 400 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, and is free and open to the public. 
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: October 9, 2026