September 27th-29th, 2024

Step Back in Time: Camp Union 250th Anniversary Commemorative Weekend

Join us as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of Camp Union, a pivotal moment in American history. This free event will bring the past to life through living history reenactments, educational exhibits, and insightful lectures. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a student, or simply curious, the Camp Union Commemorative Weekend offers something for everyone.

About Camp Union 
In late August 1774, (then) Col. Andrew Lewis established Camp Union as the rendezvous point and supply depot for the southern division of Virginia Governor Lord Dunmore’s militia army during Lord Dunmore’s War. The camp, located around Lewis Spring (behind the current courthouse), played a critical role in the conflict between Euro-American settlers and Native American tribes over the Ohio Valley.

Historical Significance
Camp Union was more than just a military encampment. It was the staging ground for one of the most significant conflicts of 1774—Lord Dunmore’s War. This war was rooted in the unresolved claims of the Ohio Valley natives, particularly the Shawnee, against the backdrop of increasing Euro-American settlement.

Key Events:

• Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1768): The Six Nations, or Iroquois Confederacy, ceded land south of the Ohio River, leading to renewed settlement by Euro-Americans.
• Battle of Point Pleasant (October 10, 1774): A decisive conflict where Col. Andrew Lewis’ militia defeated Shawnee forces led by war leader Cornstalk. This victory led to the signing of the Treaty of Camp Charlotte, allowing further settlement in the region.

Legacy of Camp Union
Camp Union’s legacy extends beyond the battlefields. The rendezvous at Lewis Spring brought this area into prominence, eventually leading to the establishment of Lewisburg in 1782. Many prominent figures of early American history, including Brig. Gens. William Russell and George Mathews, were stationed here. Theodore Roosevelt later described the men who gathered at Camp Union as “braver or physically finer” than any group assembled in America.

Event Schedule
We’ve planned a weekend full of activities that will immerse you in the rich history of Camp Union and Lord Dunmore’s War. Here’s what you can expect:

Friday, September 27, 2024 (The Barracks)

• 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Greenbrier County 8th Grade Student Visits 

Saturday, September 28, 2024 (The Barracks)

• 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Public Living History Reenactments :  Eighteenth Century Surveyors, Fife and Drum Musicians, Militia Reenactors, and more.
• 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Camp Union Traveling Exhibit at the Barracks
• 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: The North House is open for museum tours. Our last guided museum tour is at 3:00PM. Walking tours must be scheduled in advance. 

Sunday, September 29, 2024

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Living History Reenactments & Camp Union Exhibit at The Barracks
• 2:00 PM: Keynote Lecture by Alan Gutchess, Director of the Fort Pitt Museum, at Carnegie Hall
• 3:30 PM: Reception and Camp Union Exhibit at North House Museum

Key Highlights

• Living History Reenactments: Experience life as it was in 1774 with militia reenactors, fife and drum musicians, and more.
• Camp Union Traveling Exhibit: Explore the new exhibit on the history of Camp Union and Lord Dunmore’s War, which will be hosted at the Barracks and later loaned to libraries, schools, and museums.
• Keynote Lecture: Join Alan Gutchess for an insightful lecture on settler-Native American conflicts and the broader implications of Lord Dunmore’s War.

​Join Us in Commemorating History

​The Camp Union Commemorative Weekend is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity to step back in time, learn about a critical moment in American history, and reflect on the legacy that continues to shape our community today. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Thank you to our partners!