Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day 2024

Announcements, Events

Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 21, 2024
Michael Coard, attorney, radio host, activist will be speaker

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

Event will acknowledge the 161st anniversary of establishment of the United States Colored Troops and Camp William Penn.

  • Visit USCT encampments: 3rd and 6th USCT and PA. 53rd Infantry Re-enactors
  • 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

Memorial Day Ceremony at Philadelphia National Cemetery

Announcements, Events

When: Monday, May 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Where: Philadelphia National Cemetery, 6909 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19138

Immediately following the Memorial Day ceremony, there will be an unveiling of Private Warrick’s newly installed headstone. Private Warrick served with the 127th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment, mustered out of Camp William Penn. His headstone was incorrectly engraved for nearly 160 years. We are acknowledging the new stone with honors.  

Afterward, we welcome you to join us at Camp William Penn Museum for light refreshments and a complimentary tour of the museum.

National Cemetery

Philadelphia National Cemetery (PNC) contains the remains of nearly 13,000 veterans from the Civil War and later conflicts, along with spouses and dependents.

One thousand US Colored Troops and Seamen are interred at PNC.  At least two hundred of these soldiers perished while training at Camp William Penn.

Camp William Penn Museum

1618 Willow Avenue, La Mott PA 19027

Here was Pennsylvania’s only training camp for African-American soldiers and the largest of 18 in the nation during the Civil War. Comprising over 10,000 men, 11 regiments of US colored troops were trained here; the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 32nd, 41st, 43rd, 45th, and 127th. The first recruits arrived on June 26, 1863. Many were to fight in Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, and elsewhere. The camp closed on August 14, 1865.

Visit www.usct.org to learn more about Camp William Penn and to search USCT listings.
Phone: 215-885-2258 or Email: pt@usct.org.

Save the Date: February Black History Lecture

Announcements, Events

When: Sunday, February 25, 2024; 3:00 PM
Where: Zoom, pre-registration required
Who: Dr. Holly Pinheiro Jr.

Dr. Holly Pinheiro Jr. is an assistant professor of African American History at Furman University and will talk about how freeborn northern African Americans struggled to maintain families while fighting against racial discrimination. In his recent book, The Families’ Civil War, Dr. Pinheiro, provides a compelling account of the lives of USCT soldiers and their entire families. The intersections of gender, race, class, and region will be examined to illuminate experiences of northern USCT soldiers and their families.

This is a free Zoom event. Reservations are necessary. To reserve a virtual seat, send an email to pt@usct.org and you will be sent a link giving you access to the presentation.

Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day

Announcements, Events

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