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. National Public Lands Day Saturday, September 27, 2025 10:00 am - 12:30 pm In commemoration of National Public Lands Day, we invite you to join the us for the planting of a pollinator garden. Our pollinator garden will contain 23 different types of long-lasting, resilient wildflowers that are native to Kentucky and the wider Midwestern region. Not only are these beautiful flowers visually attractive, they also provide a nutrient rich source of food for Kentucky’s pollinators. By creating habitats dedicated to our precious pollinators, we can protect the biodiversity of these keystone species. During this volunteer event, we will construct two garden beds, paint, prepare and place soil, and plant seeds that will bloom in Spring. The event will take place next to the Visitor Center. Participants should wear pants, shirts, and closed-toed shoes they are comfortable getting dirty. Participants may also wish to bring water and sunscreen. Latex gloves and tools will be provided. Family Archeology Day Saturday, October 11, 2025 Celebrate International Archeology Day! The event features fun activities and prizes for kids of all ages, including an archeology “dig in a box,” analyzing artifacts, a museum scavenger hunt, and junior archeology activity book. Learn about the archeology process and how museums care for objects. On March 15, 2001, Camp Nelson Civil War District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The district is nationally significant under Criteria A and D for Military, Archeology, and Ethnic Heritage, with Criteria Consideration D. Camp Nelson Historic and Archeological District National Historic Landmark was designated a National Historic Landmark. Night Sky Program Friday, October 17, 2025 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm The NPS invites you to gaze at the stars with park staff at the first Night Sky Program at Camp Nelson National Monument! We’re partnering with the Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club to host a star gazing program that’s going to be out of this world! NPS staff will discuss Night Skies and National Parks, and President Richard Schrantz of the club will be on site with a telescope as we explore the sky! Visitors interested in this astronomical program should bring: Camping chair(s) A blanket Warm clothes like gloves, hats, and thick socks with closed-toed shoes A headlight or flashlight with red light capabilities A sense of adventure! We recommend that you arrive at 7:45 to safely make your way from the parking lot to the viewing area. Once at the telescope, it’s “LIGHTS OUT,” to help everyone’s eyes adjust to the dark and to have the best viewing experience! Visitors with pets and young children are encouraged to be mindful or normal bedtime routines when planning to attend! Campfire Program: “In Every Stitch: Stories within Civil War Quilts.” Friday, October 24, 2025 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Bundle up with us around the campfire for an evening of visual storytelling. Explore the unique historic record preserved by women through craft and their experience from the home front during the Civil War. Visitors should bring camping chairs and blankets and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Meet NPS Staff at the Visitor Center Where Valor Proudly Sleeps: Civil War Veterans and Camp Nelson National Cemetery Saturday, November 8, 2025 11:00 am - 12:30 pm The NPS, in partnership with the Department of Veteran Affairs, is organizing a guided tour of Camp Nelson National Cemetery to commemorate Veterans Day. This program will explore the lives of U.S. Army soldiers and their experiences when the guns fell silent in the years and decades after the Civil War. Meet NPS staff outside the cemetery caretaker lodge and visitor center. Camp Nelson National Cemetery 6980 Danville Road Nicholasville, KY 40356 5th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk Saturday, November 22, 2025 The details will be released soon. 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 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: September 15, 2025