Ex-Military Site to Open as Museum in Union County

County Viewpoint - January 2000

If only the walls could talk...

The stories the walls in the old Officers Club of Camp Breckinridge Army Camp in Union County could tell. On these walls are murals, painted by German prisoners-of-war while they were housed at the camp during World War II.

The murals will be spotlighted this April when the former Officers Club will open as the Camp Breckinridge Museum and Arts Center.

The building is currently undergoing restoration funded by a $1 million state grant. Final cost of renovation of the old training center is about $1.3 million, with Union County Fiscal Court putting in the final $300,000.

One side of the building will be used for exhibits of the Union County Historical Society, which include World War II memorabilia. Art exhibits will be set up in the other side of the building. The center room, where the murals are located, can accommodate 250 to 300 people and will be rented for meeting, programs, community events and private parties.

Camp Breckinridge opened in 1942 as a training facility for soldiers of both W.W.II and the Korean War. It was closed in the early 1960's, and a big part of the camp was turned into the Breckinridge Job Corps Center. The name of the center was later changed to Earl C. Clements Job Corps Center to honor former Kentucky Governor and U.S. Senator Earle Clements, a Union County native. The Union Count Fiscal Court later acquired the Old Officers Club.

The grand opening and dedication is planned for April.

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