The Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, a National Monument of the United States, commemorates the life of Charles Young, an escaped slave who rose to become a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and its first African-American colonel.
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Wilberforce University
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I've been to a number of similar national monuments including the President Taft home not terribly far away in Cincinnati. The National Park Service has done a fabulous job of keeping to the structure of the home and still managing to tell the story of a great man.
At a time when the nation and the military was still divided along racial lines, Charles Young graduated from the US Military Academy (the third African-American to do so). He was the first black US National Park superintendent and the first black man to achieve the rank of colonel in the US Army. And in fact was the highest-ranking black officer in the Army until his death in 1922.
In 1894, he was assigned to Wilberforce College here, one of the Historically Black Colleges, to lead the new military sciences department. When the Spanish-American War broke out, he was promoted to major and commanded the 9th Ohio Infantry Regiment. He went on to serve as the superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks.
The museum goes into much depth for Young's 1912 assignment as military attaché to Liberia, the first African-American to hold that post. However when the United States was to enter World War I, he was removed from service due to a "medical issue." In 1919, Young was reassigned as military attaché to Liberia.
There is a lot going on here including a short film, a number of exhibits and memorabilia. And it's free. Stop by if...
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This is a nice drive just out of Dayton Ohio. If you didn't see the sign, you would think it was just another house in the country. There is no charge for entering this National Park site.
Charles Youngs home has been beautifully restored and there are several walking paths if you want to explore the countryside. When you enter the house, the Park Ranger is right there to provide brochures and guide you to the video. On the second floor they have a small area setup where you can watch a video about his life and accomplishments. I suggest seeing this before taking a self-guided tour in the house. I was a bit disappointed as there weren’t any memorabilia from his life to view. They did have plenty of signage in place of that so you can read in more detail about his life. They have a small store where you can get some books about him and others that lived (Paul Laurence Dunbar) in the area along with some souvenirs.
The Wilberforce University is just down the street with some historic markers. They add a little more to Charles's history of working there. When exiting the site, turn left and it is a short drive...
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Great history and stories! It speaks to the past of our family and our country, something that is priceless to those like us whose histories have been twisted, lost or unrecorded, except that which fits another's narrative. The guide was very knowledgeable, clear and engaged in the history of this national treasure. If you have a Junior Ranger make sure to get everything online printed and done before arrival.. our Junior Ranger enjoyed the information but was sad that she couldn't get the badge. Hopefully we will make it back one day as the Buffalo Soldiers are a connection to her families past and that badge would be...
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