4th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk

The NPS invites you to participate in the 4th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk to mark the 160th anniversary of Camp Nelson's largest expulsion.

On November 23, 1864, the U.S. Army forcibly expelled 400 African American refugees from the camp during a winter storm, including the wives and children of U.S. Colored Troops [USCT]. It was at least the ninth 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, including keynote speaker Professor and Poet Frank X Walker, 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. We ask that visitors arrive by 4:15 pm.


Location:
Camp Nelson National Monument
6614 Danville Loop 2 Road
Nicholasville, KY 40356