Darien Historical Society Presents Exclusive Look Into Camp Douglas, Chicago's Civil War Secret

Time is running out to reserve a seat for the Darien Historical Society's one-time presentation on Camp Douglas, a Chicago-area camp that once trained more than 40,000 Union troops and held more than 30,000 Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.

The Historical Society is opening the camp up to teenagers and adults, but content isn't suited for children. You can register for the program, which will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 2 at the Indian Prairie Public Library, here. David Keller, the managing director for the Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation, will speak about the camp's story and legacy.

According to the Restoration Foundation's website, Camp Douglas was the largest and longest-operating military camp in the Chicago area and was Illinois' largest contribution to the Civil War. It was first known as a training grounds but quickly turned into a camp for prisoners of war.

The Restoration Foundation, alongside researchers from DePaul University, have been able to conduct seven archaeological digs in the area where Camp Douglas once stood, and artifacts and evidence of the camp is now housed with the foundation.

For more information about Camp Douglas and the Historical Society's presentation, click here.

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