Help Preserve Camp Ford

The Smith County Historical Society's museum and archives are located at 125 S. College, Tyler. Built in 1903 as Carnegie Public Library, it is a National Register Property.

Founded in 1959 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Smith County Historical Society operates a museum and archives at 125 South College Avenue in Tyler, as well as serves as caretaker of Camp Ford Historic Park. Your tax-deductible donations are gratefully appreciated.

To donate to or for more information about the Society, please visit their website.

DATA AND INFORMATION ON CAMP FORD

We have amassed a large collection of Camp Ford material, and our bibliography contains well over 300 entries. We believe that there are still letters, diaries and materials in small or private collections, and we are interested in obtaining copies. If you know of letters, diaries, etc, and are willing to share, please e-mail us.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP WITH A FLAG POLE AND FLAG?

Our goal is to have a flag pole and flag flying at the park for each state that had prisoners here. This will be a total of 27 poles. We are using high quality, internal halyard poles that will be illuminated so that the flags will fly constantly. If you are interested in donating a flag and pole for a particular state, or helping out financially, please e-mail us.

CAMP FORD LITHOGRAPH

This lithograph, which was published between 1870 and 1875, provides a south view of the camp, with several smaller insert drawings. The artwork was drawn by James McClain "F" 120th Ohio, who was captured May 3, 1864, and in the final group of prisoners to leave Camp Ford on May 19, 1865. The original lithograph was donated to the Smith County Historical Society by Susan Busch, a descendant of Philip Kuhn, the principal musician of the 120th.

The lithograph has been digitally restored and printed on 18" X 24" high quality paper. Copies may be ordered from the Smith County Historical Society.