United States Colored Troops (USCT)

Juneteenth

This excellent article shares this history of Camp William Penn and Juneteenth.

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.

A Proclamation

of the Board of Commissioners of Cheltenham Township

Whereas, The Chelten Hills community includes the village that later received national attention in 1863, when it was chosen as the site for Camp William Penn, as the country’s first and largest recruiting and training camp for black soldiers, known as the United States Colored Troops. Camp William Penn trained roughly 11,000 Black soldiers during its operation from June 26, 1863 to May 19, 1865.

Whereas, The Emancipation Proclamation enabled blacks to “be received into the armed services,” but there was no government mechanism to receive such troops until the founding of the Bureau for Colored Troops in May 1863. Camp William Penn was established in Chelten Hills because of its proximity to the North Pennsylvania Railroad and because sympathetic Quakers resided here. Camp William Penn was established in Chelten Hills on undeveloped land made available for the purpose by Quaker Abolitionist Edward M. Davis.

Whereas, Lucretia Mott, was a Quaker abolitionist who traveled with her husband James and preached against slavery. After the war, Camp William Penn was dismantled. Lucretia Mott’s son-in-law, Edward M. Davis, followed the Quaker belief in racial harmony, and set aside thirty acres to be sold to black and white purchasers. The village came to be known as Camptown, but was renamed La Mott in 1885, to honor the legacy of the esteemed friend, Lucretia Mott.

Whereas, The village of La Mott, was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, and stands as an important landmark in American black history as one of the first communities in the country to embrace integrated living. The village represents a turning point in the social and racial development in the post-Civil War era. La Mott saw the participation of both blacks and whites in the development of this suburban residential community.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DANIEL B. NORRIS, President of the BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP, do hereby proclaim Saturday, September 21, 2019, as “Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day” in Cheltenham Township. In doing so, we remember the significance of La Mott Village in U.S. history and those who made contributions to create a racially harmonious community.

DONE IN THE VILLAGE OF LA MOTT, PENNSYLVANIA, under our hands and the Seal of the Township of Cheltenham, this twenty-first day of September, A.D., 2019, in the year of the Township of Cheltenham the one hundred and twentieth.

 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP

Camp William Penn and Historic La Mott Day

Saturday, September 21, 2019
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Opening ceremony: 10:00 at Camp William Penn Gate, 7322 Sycamore Ave., La Mott, 19027

Closing ceremony: 3:30 at Flagpole (corner Sycamore and Willow)

• Visit encampments: USCT 3rd and 6th Regiments and PA. 53rd Infantry Re-enactors and learn about the life of the Civil War soldier
• Visit the Camp William Penn Museum and see the 8’ recruiting poster as well as the banner Lucretia Mott, Emily Taylor and William Lloyd Garrison carried in their marches for women’s rights in England
• Visit Camp William Penn Museum
• Living History Demonstrations including ammunition making
• Civil War Medical and Surgical instrument ‘show and tell’ 
• Book signings, Lectures, Period Music, Films
• La Mott History display
• Civil War baseball as demonstrated by the E.P. 6^th graders
• Local history organizations with tabletop displays and information
• Visit with Mr. Lincoln or listen to poetry readings
• Living History Demonstrations include ammunition making as well as soldier pastimes such as baseball and dominoes
• Civil War Medical and Surgical instrument ‘show and tell’ in our barn
• Book signings as well as opportunity to talk with the authors
• Presentations about African American Women in the Civil War, Philadelphia National Cemetery, The Cruel and Unusual, Effects of a Fatal Shooting at Camp William Penn as well as presentations about our neighbors, Elstow Manor and Lynnwood Hall
• La Mott History display, La Mott Fire Company display and Fire Truck
• Local history organizations will have informative tabletop displays
• Take a walking tour of Historic La Mott

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 contact us.

Camp William Penn Museum Is Open

The Camp William Penn Museum will be available to visitors from June through end of October by reservation. Individuals and groups are welcome. Use location and contact information below.

Email: pt@usct.org
Telephone: (215) 885-2258
1618 Willow Avenue
La Mott, PA 19027