Kentucky is a fantastic place for history lovers and Civil War buffs. There are several Civil War sites in Kentucky, including Camp Nelson National Monument. As these historical sites tell their story, it’s easy to see Kentucky’s central role in the Union’s overall success in the Civil War.
Apart from critical strategic locations like Camp Nelson National Monument, Kentucky was also home to some of the most decisive battles in the Civil War, including the Battle of Richmond and the bloody Battle of Perrysville. These Civil War Battlefields are some of the most interesting Civil War Sites in Kentucky. Capping off your historical trip through the state should be visits to some related museums in the area on Museum Row in Bardstown. You’ll find some of the most impressive museums dedicated to Civil War History there.
Of course, while you’re here touring the Camp Nelson National Monument and other Civil War sites in Kentucky, you’ll want a comfortable place to stay that also represents its own piece of Kentucky history. Our Kentucky Bed and Breakfast is an exceptional place to stay and a beautiful piece of restored Kentucky history. We’re located in Springfield, Kentucky, around 30 minutes outside Bardstown and just 15 minutes from Perryville. We offer guests a quiet, country escape in our historic Federal-Style home. Book your room today!
The Camp Nelson National Monument
One of the many interesting Civil War sites in Kentucky is the Camp Nelson National Monument. Camp Nelson was an instrumental recruitment and training center, particularly for African American soldiers. It also served as an essential supply depot for the Union effort during the Civil War.
Camp Nelson National Monument is 45 minutes from our Kentucky Bed and Breakfast. It was initially established during the war effort in April of 1863. By 1864, it served as a vital training center and was responsible for securing the freedom of over 10,000 African American men as they became soldiers.
While visiting Camp Nelson National Monument, we recommend you take one of the guided ranger tours. These tours offer a lot of insight into why Camp Nelson was built, as well as personalized stories of many of the stories of the soldiers, civilians, and refugees that moved through this area. The tours last about 45 minutes and are offered on Saturdays and Sundays when staffing allows.
Other essential stops while visiting the Camp Nelson National Monument include the Visitors Center and Museum, which includes various exhibits and artifacts related to the camp’s history, the Oliver Perry House, reconstructed barracks, the Hall Community, and the Camp Nelson National Cemetery.
There are also five miles of walking trails to enjoy while visiting Camp Nelson National Monument, which will take you to many top sites, including various fortifications.
Though there’s quite a legacy to admire at Camp Nelson National Monument, one of the most significant pieces of this camp’s history is its designation as a refugee camp. Toward the end of the Civil War, it served as a shelter for civilians fleeing war and destruction. This was also where formerly enslaved people went to find freedom.
More Civil War Sites in Kentucky to See
Camp Nelson National Monument is just one of the significant Civil War Sites in Kentucky worth visiting. Though the state initially tried to keep neutral during the war, it was eventually pulled into the war effort and served as a significant strategic location, with many of the most decisive moments of the war effort taking place here. From touring Civil War Battlefields and visiting Civil War Museums in Kentucky, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the war efforts in Kentucky.
Below, we’ve listed some other top Civil War sites in Kentucky to visit on your trip.
- Don’t miss the Perryville Battle State Historic Site. It’s 20 minutes from our Kentucky Bed and Breakfast and features 19 miles of walking trails around the Battlefield. We recommend taking a guided tour to fully understand the significance of what happened here. Of the Civil War Battles in Kentucky, the one in Perrysville is considered the most destructive, representing the South’s last major attempt to capture the state.
- Though we think the Perryville Battle is the most significant Civil War Battlefield to visit in Kentucky, others to visit include Middle Creek National Battlefield, Tebbs Bend-Green River Bridge Battlefield, and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument.
- Don’t miss the Civil War Museum and the Women’s Museum of the Civil War in Bardstown. They represent the largest and most complete Civil War Museums of the Western Theatre and feature a broad array of artifacts and exhibits.
- There, you’ll also find the General Hal Moore Military Museum. Exhibits here cover various periods, including conflicts from the American Revolution to the Middle East wars in the modern era.
As you can see, plenty of Civil War sites in Kentucky are worth visiting. From Camp Nelson National Monument to Bardstown’s Museum Row, we hope you make the journey and embrace the history of this remarkable part of Kentucky’s past. While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the ambiance of our top-rated Kentucky Bed and Breakfast. Book your room at our Bed and Breakfast in Kentucky today.
