AAGGKY Meets at Camp Nelson

Thursday, July 12, 2012

The Third Saturday meeting of the African-American Genealogy Group of Kentucky (AAGGKY) will be on July 21, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, 6614 Danville Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356.  Click here for directions.

Camp Nelson was the largest recruiting, mustering, and training center for African American troops (called U.S. Colored Troops) in Kentucky and one of the largest in the United States. 

It is also served as a contraband or refugee camp for family members of the U.S.C.T. recruits. This camp, which was administered by the Rev. John G. Fee of the American Missionary Association and Captain Theron Hall of the U.S. Army, contained cottages, dormitories, a hospital, a school, a dining room, and a laundry and held over 3,000 people at one time. The illness and death which resulted from removal of the African American refugees from Camp Nelson in November 1864 led directly to the passage of a Congressional Act which freed the family members of the U.S. Colored Troops and the implementation of a more structured program by the Army to care for and educate these people. The Camp has a very rich and interesting history!
Staff of the park will present a program, movie and a tour of the grounds!  Last year, we met at the park in June and had a great time!  We need to let the staff know how to plan for the day, so if you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P. by Monday, July 16th.  Hope to see you there.

African-American Genealogy Group of Kentucky (AAGGKY)
Website: www.aaggky.org
Email: aaggky@yahoo.com or aaggky@yahoogroups.com
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(502) 422-4457