Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day

Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 23, 2023
Michael Coard, attorney, radio host, activist will be speaker

Where: La Mott Community Center, 7420 Sycamore Ave., La Mott, 19027

Event will acknowledge the 160th anniversary of establishment of the United States Colored Troops and Camp William Penn

  • Visit USCT encampment.
  • Listen to the USS Lehigh CW Navy Living History Crew.
  • Visit Camp William Penn Museum.
  • Living History demonstrations including ammunition making.
  • Hear archivist talk and demonstrate paper and book conservation.
  • See demonstrations of mid 1800’s building and carpentry techniques.
  • Civil War Medical and Surgical instrument ‘show and tell’.
  • Book signings, Lectures, Period Music, Films.
  • La Mott History display.
  • Civil War games and activities.
  • Visit graves of CWP soldiers at Philadelphia National Cemetery.
  • Local history organizations with tabletop displays and information.

Closing ceremony: 3:45 at Flagpole (corner Sycamore and Willow)

Camp William Penn, located in what is now modern day La Mott, was the first and largest Federal training site for colored soldiers during the Civil War.

Note: Volunteers needed for help in all aspects of this event; some starting now and some the day of the event. Ideas and suggestions are also welcome. If you are able to help or participate, please use contact information below.

Citizens for the Restoration of Historical La Mott
1618 Willow Avenue, La Mott, PA 19027
Email: pt@usct.org
Phone: (215) 885-2258

Postponed: Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day

This week the CROHL Board and the Committee for the Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day held a meeting specifically to decide whether or not to go ahead with our plans for Sept 18.

It was an unanimous decision to reluctantly reschedule for 2022 in light of some of the experiences participants have had relative to the COVID virus in the last week.

February Event, 2021

We Fight for Our Rights, Liberty, Justice and Union: The Battle of New Market Heights

On September 29, 1864, the soldiers of United States Colored Troops 3rd Division, XVIII Corps, Army of the James, stepped off to do battle and stepped into history. During this engagement 14 African American soldiers and two white officers performed heroic acts that earned the Medal of Honor. This presentation will provide both an overview of the battle and share stories of some of the soldiers who fought there.

Presented by Tim Talbott. Tim is the Director of Education, Interpretation, Visitor Services and Collections at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Petersburg, Virginia. He is President of the Battle of New Market Heights Memorial and Education Association. He maintains the Random Thoughts on History blog and has published articles in both book and scholarly journal formats.

Dr. James Paradis will discuss a recent memorial gift given to the Camp William Penn Museum which relates to one of the 6th regiment USCT soldiers.

  • When: Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 3:00 PM

This is a free Zoom event.

To reserve a virtual seat for this event, send an email to pt@usct.org and you will be sent a link with a password within 24 hours of the presentation, giving you access. We look forward to having you join us. For information call 215-885-2258.

This program is funded in part by the Jenkinstown Lyceum.

Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day

On September 21st, a crowd of neighbors and Civil War buffs gathered at 10:00 AM at Camp William Penn gate on Sycamore Ave, in La Mott PA to witness the opening ceremonies for Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day. The Doane Academy band performed music preceding the march in by USCT, PA 53rd re-enactors, Jr. ROTC Cadets and others in period garb.

Several speeches were made, including the reading of a proclamation from Cheltenham Township, read by Commissioner Ann Rappoport, declaring September 21, 2019 to be “Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day”. The full text of the proclamation is below. Township manager Bryan Havir extended a welcome to all and Dr. James Paradis reminded us “Why We Remember.”

After the opening ceremonies, the attendees ventured onto the Camp William Penn grounds where they interacted with USCT reenactors and saw displays on the medical science of the Civil War. Dr. Robert Hicks, director of the Mütter Museum and Marjory Wienkop (4th NJ Volunteer Infantry), presented samples of medicine and described surgical practices during the war.

In the La Mott Community Center, there were lectures about Camp William Penn as well as about our community. Local historical groups manned tables to explain their pieces of history and there was a La Mott History display as well. The Camp William Penn museum was open for tours.

At the closing ceremonies, president Abraham Lincoln spoke and State Senator Art Haywood read a ‘Congratuations from the State Senate’ congratulating Citizens for the Restoration of Historical La Mott on their fiftieth anniversary.  Dr. Paul Finkelman, president of Gratz College, gave the closing address.  The event closed with Adrienne Mazar playing Taps and the flag, which had flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the USCT in 2013, was brought down.

Flea Market Fundraiser

CROHL will participate in the Cheltenham Township Flea Market on April 29 at Curtis Arboretum, 9:00 to 1:00.
Collectibles, household items, also will include vintage and antique items.
The rain date is May 6th.  All proceeds benefit the CWP Museum.