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On June 11, 2022, the National Parks Service and Jessamine County Public Library are hosting a Genealogy and Research Day at Camp Nelson.

Visitors will get the opportunity to utilize various databases and archives to research family history. Families with ancestors who were in the Civil War have the opportunity to find out more information as well as share information with the park to help expand the understanding of Camp Nelson’s history.

“Helping people research their family members and local history is integral to the library’s mission to enrich the community with information. JCPL looks forward to extending genealogy resources to even more people and hearing the stories of Camp Nelson,” the library’s marketing and PR Coordinator, Kimber Gray, said.

Camp Nelson is a National Monument and served as a recruitment and training center for African American soldiers as well as a refugee camp for wives, children, and those fleeing the Confederate occupation. Enslaved people sought safety here, in hopes to secure emancipation.

“Over the past year, several individuals have shared their family history with the park, especially the accounts and records of soldiers who enlisted and served at Camp Nelson. The information enhances our understanding of the site and is used to expand our social media and web pages”, Camp Nelson’s Chief of Interpretation, Education and Visitors Services Steve Phan said.

Camp Nelson has been part of the National Park Services since 2018 and is one of the most recent additions. Starting Memorial weekend up till Labor Day, Camp Nelson will be open seven days a week.

The event takes place at Camp Nelson National Monument in Nicholasville. Genealogy and Research Day tickets are free, and the event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information or to sign up, visit www.jesspublib.org/events.