Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Cultural Landscape: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

MWRO Cultural Landscapes Program

The period of significance for the cultural landscape of Youngsholm relates to the national importance of Charles Young and his family’s residency at Youngsholm during his lifetime. The findings of the 2017 cultural landscape report (CLR) and environmental assessment (EA) indicate that for the landscape, the period began with the purchase of the 79.14-acre property and house by Charles and Ada Young on August 23, 1907 and ended with the death of Charles Young on January 8, 1922. During this time, the farmstead acquired the features and characteristics that contribute to the historic significance of the site, including embellishment of the domestic landscape during two major house remodeling projects, the addition of outbuildings, and the expansion of agricultural activity with fields and livestock maintained by the family and hired help. Importantly, these years bridge pivotal stages in the career and diverse pursuits of Charles Young while on a teaching appointment at Wilberforce University and away for military service. When at home, the property served as a social nexus as numerous guests and students visited with Charles and the family. Despite his frequent absences from Youngsholm, Charles maintained an active interest in the farm which is demonstrated by frequent correspondence with Ada who oversaw daily management of the household and farm. The death of Charles Young in 1922 triggered a series of events leading to the gradual deterioration of the features that defined the earlier landscape. Aspects of continuity persisted through the residency of Ada, who also taught at Wilberforce University and resided at Youngsholm until her death in 1953. Nevertheless, financial difficulties coupled with the devastating effects of a tornado in 1927 resulted in altered farming practices and use of the house for boarders. While the persistence of agricultural leases maintained the larger field patterns, demise of the family farm and recurrent storm damage, notably from the Xenia Tornado of 1974, furthered landscape evolution. The Youngs’ children, Marie and Charlie, resided at the property in their later years until 1983, after which it served as a rental property and fraternity house until purchase by the National Park Service in 2013. This Cultural Landscape Inventory report for the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers cultural landscape identifies and documents the landscape’s location, size, physical development, condition, landscape characteristics as character-defining features, as well as other valuable information useful to park management.

Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Cultural Landscape: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

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