Nicholasville, KY– U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) dedicated a new sign for Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument on Thursday morning. Congressman Barr joined Camp Nelson Superintendent Ernie Price and National Park Service (NPS) Southeast Regional Director Stan Austin for the dedication.
“It is an honor to dedicate a new sign for Camp Nelson on behalf of all of the people in Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District,” said Congressman Barr. “Camp Nelson has a special place in the history of our great Commonwealth that unites all Kentuckians across political, racial and generational lines. I will always be a steadfast supporter and advocate for Camp Nelson whenever and wherever I am needed.”
“On behalf of Camp Nelson National Monument, we are thankful for Congressman Barr's work to bring Camp Nelson onto the national stage,” said Price.
Congressman Barr was instrumental in getting Camp Nelson designated as a national monument, Kentucky’s first national monument in history. Camp Nelson was established in 1863 as a Union Army depot during the Civil War and served as an important stop along the underground railroad. After learning of the U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOI) plans to review the designations of monuments made under the authority of the Antiquities Act, Congressman Barr brought the historic site to the attention of then-DOI Secretary Ryan Zinke as a possible addition for monument status.
Congressman Barr and his staff worked diligently with local officials and community stakeholders to educate the DOI on the historical significance of the park. To further illustrate the amount of local support for the designation, Congressman Barr garnered over 30 letters of community support and welcomed then-NPS Deputy Director Dan Smith so he could view first-hand the importance of the site and convey it to the Administration. As a result and due to the advocacy of these local officials and community stakeholders, on October 26, 2018, President Trump signed a proclamation designating Camp Nelson as a National Monument.