Browse Collections (3014 total)

Event: The US Army officially closes Camp Nelson. Only about 250 refugees remain at the Home for Colored Refugees. Former refugees and USCT veterans establish the community of Ariel (today known as Hall). Many residents worked in agriculture and the distillery industry, and supported the Ariel Academy for over fifty years.

View the items in Event: The US Army officially closes Camp Nelson. Only about 250 refugees remain at the Home for Colored Refugees. Former refugees and USCT veterans establish the community of Ariel (today known as Hall). Many residents worked in agriculture and the distillery industry, and supported the Ariel Academy for over fifty years.

Event: The First Convention of Colored Men in Kentucky is held in Lexington. Delegates assert that “the gallant heroic behavior of the Colored Soldiers of the American Army” during the war affirms their status as part and parcel of the “Great American Body Politic.”

View the items in Event: The First Convention of Colored Men in Kentucky is held in Lexington. Delegates assert that “the gallant heroic behavior of the Colored Soldiers of the American Army” during the war affirms their status as part and parcel of the “Great American Body Politic.”

Event: Berea College, initially established in 1855, is reopened as the Berea Literary Institute by Rev. John G. Fee and colleagues with whom he had worked at Camp Nelson. Among the new students enrolled are Black soldiers recruited at Camp Nelson and recently mustered out of the army.

View the items in Event: Berea College, initially established in 1855, is reopened as the Berea Literary Institute by Rev. John G. Fee and colleagues with whom he had worked at Camp Nelson. Among the new students enrolled are Black soldiers recruited at Camp Nelson and recently mustered out of the army.

Event: The federal government appropriate 8 acres of land for use as a cemetery for Union soldiers: Camp Nelson National Cemetery is established.

View the items in Event: The federal government appropriate 8 acres of land for use as a cemetery for Union soldiers: Camp Nelson National Cemetery is established.

Event: Amendment to the Constitution is ratified by three-fourths of states, abolishing slavery in the United States. Kentucky ratified the amendment in 1976.

View the items in Event: Amendment to the Constitution is ratified by three-fourths of states, abolishing slavery in the United States. Kentucky ratified the amendment in 1976.

Event: First major celebration of July 4th by Kentucky’s African American community at Camp Nelson. Sgt William A. Warfield, of the 119th US Colored Infantry pronounced the event evidence of “an age of wonders”: “to see so many thousands, who a year ago were slaves, congregate in the heart of a slave State and celebrate the day sacred to the cause of freedom, ‘with none to molest or make afraid,’ was a grand spectacle. It was the first time we have ever been permitted to celebrate the Nation’s Day.”

View the items in Event: First major celebration of July 4th by Kentucky’s African American community at Camp Nelson. Sgt William A. Warfield, of the 119th US Colored Infantry pronounced the event evidence of “an age of wonders”: “to see so many thousands, who a year ago were slaves, congregate in the heart of a slave State and celebrate the day sacred to the cause of freedom, ‘with none to molest or make afraid,’ was a grand spectacle. It was the first time we have ever been permitted to celebrate the Nation’s Day.”

Event: Surrender at Appomattox Court House. In the weeks that followed, Confederate military forces surrendered across the country, ending the Civil War. Camp Nelson continues to operate as a military base and refugee center.

View the items in Event: Surrender at Appomattox Court House. In the weeks that followed, Confederate military forces surrendered across the country, ending the Civil War. Camp Nelson continues to operate as a military base and refugee center.

Event: As a direct result of the November 1864 expulsion of refugees, Congress passes legislation, emancipating the wives and children of USCT soldiers.

View the items in Event: As a direct result of the November 1864 expulsion of refugees, Congress passes legislation, emancipating the wives and children of USCT soldiers.

Event: Massacre at Simpsonville, Kentucky. Twenty-two soldiers from Company E of the 5th US Colored Cavalry are killed by Confederate guerrillas while driving cattle from Camp Nelson to Louisville. Many of these recruits were formerly enslaved, and many came from Shelby County and the area near where the massacre took place.

View the items in Event: Massacre at Simpsonville, Kentucky. Twenty-two soldiers from Company E of the 5th US Colored Cavalry are killed by Confederate guerrillas while driving cattle from Camp Nelson to Louisville. Many of these recruits were formerly enslaved, and many came from Shelby County and the area near where the massacre took place.

Event: The US Army reverses its policy and allows African American refugees into Camp Nelson. Capt. Theron Hall and Rev. John G. Fee open the “Home for Colored Refugees,” which included wooden cottages, education and religious services, and a hospital.

View the items in Event: The US Army reverses its policy and allows African American refugees into Camp Nelson. Capt. Theron Hall and Rev. John G. Fee open the “Home for Colored Refugees,” which included wooden cottages, education and religious services, and a hospital.