Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Camp Nelson National Cemetery
Camp Nelson National Cemetery is located about seven miles southeast of Nicholasville in Jessamine County, KY. In 1866, the U.S. government appropriated approximately eight acres here to establish a cemetery. Of the original tract, about seven acres became the cemetery proper and the remainder formed a driveway extending from the main entrance to the old Danville Turnpike. An additional acre was purchased in 1874 that adjoined the southeast corner of the cemetery.
During the Civil War, Camp Nelson had an important role in supplying the U.S. Army, caring for the sick and wounded and acting as an enlistment station for African-American soldiers. The post was established in 1863 and contained numerous shops for blacksmith work and the construction of wagons and ambulances, as well as buildings for storing supplies and artillery equipment. Camp Nelson included barracks, headquarters buildings and a 700-bed hospital. There were three types of medical facilities on the post: a hospital for military prisoners; an acute general hospital; and the rehabilitation unit. In addition, Camp Nelson served as a major center for the recruitment of black soldiers of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT). After the war, the base was designated an official refugee camp by the federal government and placed under the direction of the Freedmen's Bureau.
By 1863, the Army had selected a small plot of land next to the hospital as a graveyard for the men who died at Camp Nelson. Life at the military camp was often harsh and men fell victim to disease and common illnesses. A total of 379 men were buried here, designated Graveyard No. 1, between June 1863 and July 1865. A second area, Graveyard No. 2, was later added; it is the present location of the national cemetery. According the cemetery records, approximately 1,180 men were buried here by February 1866.
After the end of the Civil War, the federal government initiated a program to locate and reinter Union dead in national cemeteries. As a result, in June and July 1868, a total of 2,023 remains were removed from areas in Kentucky such as Frankfort, Richmond, London and Covington and reinterred at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. Because of the camp's significance as a USCT recruiting base, a large number of these soldiers are interred at Camp Nelson. The remains of Confederate prisoners of war originally buried at Camp Nelson National Cemetery were all removed, either to the Confederate lot in the cemetery at Nicholasville or local private cemeteries. With the exception of two graves removed from Covington and alleged to be Confederate soldiers, there are no Confederates interred at Camp Nelson.
The cemetery has been substantially expanded, although the historic section is enclosed by a stone wall and features a fully restored superintendent's lodge built in 1870. Camp Nelson National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Monuments and Memorials The Daughters of the Union erected a granite monument dedicated in the memory of Union Soldiers who fought in the Civil War around 1995.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Camp Nelson National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
» Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
Private William M.
Harris (Indian Wars). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Army, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry, for actions at the Little Big Horn River, Montana Territory, June 25, 1876. Harris died in 1895 and is buried in Section U, Site 3.
Other Burials
Donald K.
McGuire was born in Hazard, KY, in 1931. Specialist Third Class McGuire served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. McGuire married in 1953 and graduated from Western Kentucky University. In college he played basketball and started the clean-cut singing group, The Hilltoppers. During the 1950s the quartet had nineteen hit songs on Billboard and performed at U.S. and international venues. The group was inducted into the Kentucky Hall of Fame in 2013. McGuire died September 7, 2018, and is buried in Camp Nelson National Cemetery .
Section C1-1, Row D, Site 28
Eligibility for burial at Camp Nelson National Cemetery
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
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Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
Cemetery is located 20 miles Southeast of Lexington Blue Grass Airport. From Airport take Man O' War Rd. East to Nicholasville Rd. Take a right onto Nicholasville Rd./HWY 27 South. Follow Nicholasville Rd./HWY 27 South for approximately 15 miles. The cemetery will be on your left before the Kentucky River.
Floral and grounds policy
Camp Nelson National Cemetery is not responsible for any items left at gravesites.
Floral arrangements (up to six) accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed gravesite by cemetery staff. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
Weapons policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Camp Nelson National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Camp Nelson National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Camp Nelson National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Danville National Cemetery — Danville, KY (13 mi · closed)
- Lexington National Cemetery — Lexington, KY (20 mi · closed)
- Lebanon National Cemetery — Lebanon, KY (40 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Camp Nelson National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Betts & West Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 404 North Main St. in Nicholasville, KY. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $1,895.
Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 207 West Oak St. in Nicholasville, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel and arrangements room. Professional offerings include cremation, burial, and funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,475. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,995, while direct cremation is available from $2,475.
Sims Funeral Services is a premier funeral home located at 130 North Chiles Street in Harrodsburg, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including newest funeral service facility, largest chapel, and senior friendly facility. Professional offerings include traditional burial, cremation services, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,795. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,195, while direct cremation is available from $1,795. The standard basic services fee for the funeral director and staff is $1,795. Additional typical expenses include embalming ($795) and use of facilities for viewing ($425).
Ransdell Funeral Chapel is a premier funeral home located at 345 East Lexington Street in Harrodsburg, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including ground-level accessibility, handicap entrances, and handicap exits. Professional offerings include traditional funeral, cremation services, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,395. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $3,195, while direct cremation is available from $2,395. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Protestant Christian, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism (Orthodox and other sects).
Stith Funeral Home of Danville is a premier funeral home located at 318 West Broadway in Danville, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, reception center, and urn garden. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and life celebrations, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $2,595, while direct cremation is available from $2,295. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic, and Christian (Non-denominational).
Clark Legacy Center is a premier funeral home located at 3000 Versailles Rd. in Frankfort, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including new building, reception room, and chapel. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and event planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,830. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,450, while direct cremation is available from $1,830. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholicism, Christianity (Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian), Judaism (Reform branch), Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The firm's dedication to service is reflected in their 4.9-star Google rating across 137 reviews.
Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 161 Broadway in Versailles, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory. Professional offerings include burial services, cremation services, and specialty funeral services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,195. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $4,725, while direct cremation is available from $2,195. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Church of Christ.
Bluegrass Cremation Service, LLC is a premier funeral home located at 608 West Fourth St. in Lexington, KY. The property features well-appointed spaces including on-site crematory and chapel. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $2,687. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,200, while direct cremation is available from $2,687.