National Monument

Camp Nelson

A paved path leads to a gray wooden building with US Flag flying.
Camp Nelson National Monument Visitor Center and Museum NPS/A. Goetz

Overview

The US Army established Camp Nelson as a fortified supply depot in April 1863. Over the next 3 years. the site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for United States Colored Troops and a refugee camp for their families. It served as a shelter for civilians fleeing war and for enslaved people hoping to secure their freedom and aid in the destruction of slavery.

State: KY(859) 881-5716

Hours

  • Sunday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Monday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Tuesday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Wednesday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Thursday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Friday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Saturday: Sunrise to Sunset

Fees & Passes

    Map

    More Images

    A paved path leads to a gray wooden building with US Flag flying.
    A paved path leads to a gray wooden building with US Flag flying.
    A living historian wearing a US Army Civil War uniform and park ranger walk on a mowed path.
    A living historian wearing a US Army Civil War uniform and park ranger walk on a mowed path.
    Open fields of green grass with trees during a colorful sunrise.
    Open fields of green grass with trees during a colorful sunrise.
    A row of rough, wooden bunk beds in the soldiers' barrack house.
    A row of rough, wooden bunk beds in the soldiers' barrack house.
    A white, 2 story farm house with a Civil War cannon sitting in front of it
    A white, 2 story farm house with a Civil War cannon sitting in front of it
    African American Civil War soldiers stand at attention outside their barracks.
    African American Civil War soldiers stand at attention outside their barracks.
    Living Historians portraying US Army artillery practice loading a cannon
    Living Historians portraying US Army artillery practice loading a cannon