Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument: Discovering an Inspiring Legacy in Ohio
When I was planning my Ohio National Park road trip through Ohio, the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Wilberforce, Ohio fit perfectly into my route. I was definitely going to stop – I needed that passport stamp! What I wasn’t expecting was how much I’d learn during my 30-45 minute visit to “Youngsholm” (that’s what Colonel Young called his home). This site completely exceeded my expectations and turned out to be one of the most inspiring and educational stops of my Ohio road trip.
Table of Contents
Essential Visitor Information
- Address: 1120 US Route 42, Xenia, OH 45385
- Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Monday & Tuesday)
- Admission: Free
- Accessibility: The visitor center and main exhibits are fully accessible
- Time Needed: 30-60 minutes for a thorough visit
- Best For: History enthusiasts, military history buffs, civil rights education, and anyone interested in the early National Park Service
- Official NPS Website: Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
Discovering Colonel Charles Young’s Remarkable Story
From Slavery to Success
Charles Young was born into slavery in 1864, faced racism his entire life, and still managed to become one of the most successful military leaders of his era. He hosted other Civil Rights leaders at his home such as Booker T. Washington to discuss racial equality. And get this – he didn’t just focus on his own success. He also was constantly working to help other African Americans get opportunities too. Talk about resilience!
A Groundbreaking Military Career
Walking through his restored Victorian home, you’ll see exhibits that tell the whole incredible story. This man became the third African American to graduate from West Point, then went on to become the first African American national park superintendent at Sequoia National Park. Plus, he commanded the famous Buffalo Soldiers – the segregated African American cavalry and infantry units that were in the American West and early national parks.
Inspiring Leadership and Community Service
What really got to me was seeing how Young used every bit of his success to help others. The exhibits show how he created opportunities for African Americans in military service and park management. I’ve visited the Martin Luther King Jr. site in Atlanta and the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Richmond, and Young’s story hit me the same way – here’s another incredible leader who faced challenges but kept pushing forward to make things better for everyone.
Buffalo Soldiers and the National Parks
Even as a National Park Aficionado, I was not aware of this. Did you know that before the National Park Service even existed, it was the U.S. Army running several parks? And Buffalo Soldiers stationed at the Presidio were actually protecting Yosemite, and Sequoia National Parks in California. These guys were basically some of our first park rangers! Pretty cool how they helped build the foundation for the park system we all love today.
Tips for Your Visit
Getting There: Super easy! Just punch the address into your GPS to the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument and you’re good to go. I had zero trouble finding it during my drive from southern Ohio toward Dayton.
Parking: Don’t stress about parking – there’s plenty of spots right next to the house. There is a parking area and a gravel extension lot as well. Even on busy days, you shouldn’t have any issues at this smaller site.
Timing: I visited on a weekday in early March and basically had the place to myself, which made for a really peaceful experience. The site is open year-round, so honestly any season works great for a visit.
Park Rangers: The ranger at the front desk was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. Don’t hesitate to ask questions – they’re eager to share Colonel Young’s story and can provide additional context for the exhibits.
Passport Stamp
Don’t forget your National Park Cancellation Stamp! It is at the front desk and assessable. The passport stamp is a standard design
FAQ Section
How long should I plan for my visit?
I’d say plan for about 30-60 minutes to really soak it all in. It can really vary as the site itself is very small, just the interior of the house, basically. If you’re a military history buff or really into civil rights history, you might want to give yourself a bit more time. There’s a lot to learn here!
Is this site suitable for children?
Older kids will be able to get something out of the visit, but honestly the younger kids may have some challenges as most of the exhibits are on banners and are not that interactive.
Can I tour the historic house?
Of course! That is basically the whole point of the monument. The visitor center is actually inside Colonel Young’s restored Victorian home, “Youngsholm.” They’ve converted the interior into museum space that shows his life and achievements, plus all the Buffalo Soldiers history.
What’s the connection to other national parks?
Here’s the cool part – Colonel Young was the first African American national park superintendent at Sequoia National Park! And the Buffalo Soldiers he commanded were basically the original park rangers in California before the National Park Service even existed in 1916. These guys were literal pioneers!
Is there a gift shop?
There sure is! It’s small but they’ve got some interesting books and merchandise about Colonel Young, Buffalo Soldiers, and the usual National Park Service goodies.
Other Activities
Nearby National Park Sites:
- Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park (20 minutes north) – Perfect combo trip!
- Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (45 minutes southeast)
Area Attractions:
- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (Wright-Patterson AFB) – This place is HUGE and totally free!
- Young’s Jersey Dairy (local family farm and creamery) – Great ice cream stop if you’ve got kids
- John Bryan State Park – Nice for hiking if you want to stretch your legs
Looking for more Ohio State Park information? Check out my complete guide to State Park Passport programs!
Road Trip Anyone?
This spot fits perfectly into an Ohio National Park road trip! I hit up Hopewell Culture and Dayton Aviation sites, then continued southwest toward William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati. If you’re planning something similar and want tips on collecting National Park passport stamps during road trips, definitely check out my complete guide to the passport program.
Conclusion
A Powerful Educational Experience
The Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument really delivers! Colonel Young’s story of resilience and determination gives you such great context for understanding both Civil Rights, military history and how our National Park system got started.
The staff is fantastic, admission is free, and the exhibits are informative- so it is an easy add to an Ohio road trip!
Preserving Diverse Voices in Park History
Our national parks have always depended on people from all backgrounds working together to protect these amazing places. Colonel Young and the Buffalo Soldiers were there right from the beginning, helping build the foundation for the park system we all love today. If you’re working toward visiting all 430+ National Park sites like I am, this monument is a perfect way to learn about the amazing diversity of stories that make up our National Parks.
Have you visited Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
