Camp Curtin Historical Society | Harrisburg

Camp Curtin Historical Society, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The Camp Curtin Historical Society preserves and interprets the legacy of Camp Curtin, the massive Union Army training camp that operated in Harrisburg from April 1861 to November 1865. Named for Pennsylvania Governor Andrew G. Curtin, the camp processed more than 300,000 soldiers—making it the largest Federal muster point of the Civil War—and served as a supply depot, hospital complex, and prisoner-of-war facility.

Origins and Mission

Formed in 1990 by local historians and Civil War enthusiasts, the society’s mission is to document the military, social, and cultural impact of Camp Curtin on Harrisburg and the nation; to preserve related artifacts and sites; and to educate the public through programs and publications.

Museum and Resource Center

The society operates a modest museum and reference room inside the Wesley Union AME Zion Church complex at 2216 North Sixth Street—just two blocks from the original camp boundary. Exhibits include photographs, soldiers’ letters, weapons, medical instruments, and personal items recovered from the camp grounds. A research library holds regimental histories, pension records, and period newspapers useful to genealogists and scholars.

Preservation Work

The organization has erected historical markers, restored Civil War graves in the adjacent Lincoln Cemetery, and partnered with Dauphin County to interpret remnants of the camp within the urban landscape. It advocates for the protection of remaining earthworks near Maclay and Fifth Streets and consults on archaeological investigations whenever redevelopment occurs.

Programs and Outreach

• Monthly lecture series featuring historians, authors, and reenactors
• Living-history encampments and musket demonstrations each spring and fall
• Annual memorial service on April 18, marking the arrival of the first Pennsylvania volunteers in 1861
• Educational field trips for area schools, with customized curricula on Civil War medicine, camp life, and African American soldiers
• Publication of a quarterly newsletter, The Sentinels, and occasional monographs on local Civil War topics

Visiting Information

Museum hours are generally Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and by appointment on weekdays; admission is free, with donations welcomed. On-street parking is available along North Sixth and nearby side streets. Researchers should schedule visits in advance to ensure access to archival materials.

Summary

Through its museum, archival resources, preservation projects, and public programs, the Camp Curtin Historical Society keeps alive the story of the Union’s largest training camp and its profound influence on Harrisburg’s history and the outcome of the Civil War.