Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Cultural Landscape

This ca. 1908 photograph shows that the shrub-lined lawn beside the home of Colonel Charles Young served as a common location for play and posed photographs.

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Introduction

Renowned Colonel Charles Young and his family called their property in Wilberforce, Ohio home. In the early 20th century, Colonel Charles Young led the Buffalo Soldiers -- African American cavalry and infantry troops -- and continued his military career to excel as a diplomat and intellectual. Aptly referred to as “Youngsholm” by the Young family, the property served not only as a residence, but also as a gathering place for prominent African American intellectuals, performers, and leaders.The period of significance for Youngsholm starts in 1907, when the property was purchased by Charles and Ada Young, to 1922 when Charles Young died. The cultural landscape contains approximately 60 acres including the house, agricultural fields, woodlands, and several small-scale features.

Charles and Ada Young purchased the home in 1907. The home and its immediate grounds formed the core of the property that they developed.

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Landscape Description

Youngsholm, in Greene County, Ohio, faces approximately south parallel to US Route 42 in a L-shaped parcel. The house is two-stories with late-Victorian-style embellishments and painted exterior brick walls. Many of the architectural and structural components date to the period of significance and include improvements undertaken by the Youngs. A porch made of textured concrete blocks wraps around the entire front façade. A wide central staircase connects to the porch.

Oldtown Creek and its tributary flow to the north and west, respectively. Fields and woodlands occupy the area around the home. During the period of significance, the Young family and hired help farmed and raised livestock on the land. Small scale features include historic wire fences and a concrete bench. The concrete bench on the west patio is ornamented with foreign coins and medals that allude to Colonel Young’s travels.

Central West Field, looking northwest from South Central Field. Agricultural fields made up a majority of the land cover of the Youngsholm property.

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Historic Use

Charles Young, born to enslaved parents in Kentucky in 1864, demonstrated an aptitude for languages and music at an early age. After the family relocated to the free state of Ohio, Charles attended a public school in Ripley. After graduating with honors, Charles Young taught at the school for two years before taking an entrance exam for West Point, a prestigious military academy in New York. Charles Young became the ninth African American admitted to West Point and the third to graduate. In addition to the standard challenges of the academy, Young had to overcome pervasive racism and discrimination.

Congress established separate African American regiments in 1866. These include the US Army 24th and 25th Infantries and the 9th and 10th Cavalries: also referred to as the “Buffalo Soldiers” by the Plains Native American tribes. The Buffalo Soldiers were considered exceptional servicemen, and their legacy continues to this day. Charles Young, a Second Lieutenant, was first assigned to the 9th Cavalry in 1889.

Discover More: Buffalo Soldiers

In 1894, Charles Young was sent on assignment to Wilberforce University in Ohio to teach military science. He became a well-respected professor and developed a friendship with W.E.B DuBois. After leaving Wilberforce for an assignment in Cuba, in 1903, Captain Charles Young became the first African American national park superintendent at Sequoia National Park in California.

This photo from around 1910 shows two young maple trees behind the metal fence that replaced a hedge near the road. Charles Young stands at the porch surrounded by lush
planting beds. View north.

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The Young family photographed around 1911. Left to right: Charles Noel, Marie Amelie, Ada, and Charles.

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The family grew with the birth of Charles Noel in 1906. In 1907, Charles and Ada Young purchased the Youngsholm property from M.J. Harley and N.A. Fulton. Later that same year, the Youngs purchased 38 acres of adjacent property. They soon commenced renovations to the house and property. A front porch and conservatory were added, as well as aesthetic and productive plantings. Historic photos show the Youngs grew several exotic species. The family and hired help cultivated crops including sweet potatoes, turnips, onions, beans, and peas. The property contained several fruit trees, predominately cherry and peach.

Colonel Young continued in his successful military career from 1907 to 1922 and embarked on numerous tours with destinations that included Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Hispaniola, and Liberia. After Colonel Young’s passing in 1922, Ada continued to maintain the home and property.

In 1983, the Omega Psi Phi fraternity of Howard University acquired the property and funded rehabilitation work, in partnership with the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center. President Barack Obama signed the proclamation establishing Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument on March 15th, 2013 and the National Park Service acquired the property.

Today, visitors to the site have the opportunity to learn about the life of Charles Young and the legacy of Buffalo Soldiers. The cultural landscape yields evidence of the time that Colonel Young and his family lived here and helps to preserves his contributions to American society.

An illustration of the landscape features of the 1922 Homestead from the Youngsholm Cultural Landscape Report and Environmental Assessment.

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Quick Facts

• Cultural Landscape Type:Historic Site
• National Register Significance Level: National
• National Register Significance Criteria: B
• Period of Significance:1907-1922
• National Historic Landmark

Landscape Links

• Cultural Landscape Inventory park report
• Youngsholm Cultural Landscape Report / Environmental Assessment
• National Register of Historic Places: Young, Col. Charles, House
• Library of Congress: Colonel Charles Young House, Historic American Buildings Survey
• More about NPS Cultural Landscapes