Under the Antiquities Act, President Barack Obama designated The Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument on March 25, 2013. The national monument preserves and interprets the history and legacies of Colonel Charles Young and the famed Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Army.
In National Parks
With the creation of America's national parks in the late 19th century, the need for protection became evident after people began exploiting park resources for commercial gain. As there was no agency in charge of the nation's park lands, the Army was designated to oversee these federal public lands. Many Buffalo Soldiers went on to patrol and protect the early park lands, serving as the first rangers in many of them.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers NM Junior Ranger
Earn your very own Junior Ranger badge from the park and learn about Charles Young and the famed Buffalo Soldiers.
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Official Introductory Film Troopers from the 10th Cavalry received the Buffalo Soldiers nickname by the Cheyenne and other Plains Indians. The origin of the name remains uncertain, though some say it was in response to the buffalo-hide coats worn by the soldiers in cold weather; others suggest it referred to the rugged and tireless marching of the cavalrymen. The most widespread account tells that the nickname began because the hair of the black cavalrymen resembled the dark, curly hair of the buffalo.
"The life of Charles Young was a triumph of tragedy." - W.E.B. Du Bois
Charles Young was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1864. He was the third African American graduate of West Point, the first black U.S. national park superintendent, the first African American military attaché, and the highest ranking black officer in the United States Army until his death in 1922. He also taught military science at Wilberforce University, during which time he purchased this house, which he called "Youngsholm". The house was built in 1832 and is reported to have served as a way station on the Underground Railroad.
Learn more about these extraordinary men and the story of the park when you explore these web pages.
News
Current news and happenings about the park and park-related events.
Photos & Multimedia
View official park photos, recorded events and the official park film.
History & Culture
Learn about the African Americans who answered the call of duty and enlisted in the U.S. Army after the Civil War through the mid-20th century.
Education
Teachers and educators can browse this all new section that provides curriculum lessons for K-12 school children.
Kids & Youth
See what the park has to offer for our youngest visitors. From earning Junior Ranger SWAG to printable activities, we make learning fun!
Management
Learn about the history and creation of the park and view important information about park operations.
TimeLine Eras
Choose from one of the four periods below or click on a quick link to go to that page:
- The Early Years: 1866 - 1890
- The U.S. emerges as a World Power: 1890 - 1916
- The WWI Era: 1916 - 1935
- The WWII Era and Integration: 1935 - 1951
The Origins of the Buffalo Soldiers
Before there were National Park Service rangers, there was the U.S. Army. And within the army, a remarkable unit known as the Buffalo Soldiers had lasting impacts in places still preserved as national parks today. Over a century later, their stories and legacy are interwoven in the fabric of this nation’s history. Delve into their fascinating and inspiring story and retrace the footsteps of the Buffalo Soldiers in these national parks.
Download the trip planning guide and checklist. Make your fun adventure a safe one too! No one plans to get hurt while out exploring in a National Park. However, nature is unpredictable, structures are historical, and your equipment can unexpectedly fail. Planning can be the key to a fun and safe adventure. Remember, safety starts with you!
Leave No Trace Activity Playbook Leave No Trace - Short Answer Questions Glacier National Park Activity A National Park Service Index 2012-2016 Trip Planning Guide National Park Service Adventure Activity Resources
All downloads in this category include Junior Ranger activity books available in each state park. Explore additional subcategories with activities to download for special exhibits, events and National Park Service programs. Be sure to check out other articles in this section for links to resources, information and videos.
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When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
Download Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Park Activities, Information, and Resources
Buffalo Soldier Harold Warren Jr. Interview 
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Group Photo Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Jr-Ranger-Badge-CMS Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle Answer Key Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle Clues Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle Clues Answer Key Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Crossword Puzzle Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Crossword Puzzle Answer Key Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Official Introductory Film Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Official Introductory Film Image Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers WebQuest Quiz Worksheet Download Web Ranger Activity Books
A Guide to Web Rangers Activities for Educators All About Bats National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Archeologist National Park Service Junior Ranger Ages 6-12 Activity Book Be a Citizen Scientist National Park Service Public Lands Junior Ranger Activity Book Cave Scientist National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Centennial National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Eclipse Explorer National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Let's Go Fishing National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book MWAC Junior Ranger Archeology Program National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Turns 50 Activity Book National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Turns 50 Activity Book Toolkit and Answer Key Night Explorer National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Paleontologist National Park Service Junior Ranger Ages 5-12 Activity Book SEAC Junior Ranger Archeologist Program Book U.S. Forest Service Junior Forest Ranger Activity Book U.S. Forest Service Junior Forest Ranger Adventure Guide U.S. Forest Service Junior Forest Ranger Adventure Guide - Spanish U.S. Forest Service Junior Snow Ranger Activity Book Underground Railroad Network to Freedom National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Underwater Explorer National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Underwater Explorer National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book - Spanish Virginia Web Ranger Petersburg National Battlefield Activity Booklet Wilderness Explorers National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book Download Junior Ranger and State Park Program Activities, Information, and Resources
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A List of Links to Find Junior Ranger Pages for Specific Parks A List of National Trail Junior Ranger Programs Address and Contact Junior Ranger Badges and Patches Find Junior Ranger Pages for Specific Parks Independent State of Samoa Junior Ranger National Park of American Samoa Activity Book Samoan Version Independent State of Samoa Junior Ranger National Park of American Samoa English Activity Book Junior Ranger Book Morse Code Junior Ranger Certificate Printing Guide NASA Spaceflight Explorer Junior Ranger Activity Book United States Territory of Guam Junior Ranger War In The Pacific National Historical Park Activity Book Where to Request Badges and Patches Download Yellowstone Junior Ranger Activities
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All National Registry of Natural Landmarks Listing by State and County Ask a Ranger Getting Lost - Find Your Park Ask a Ranger Wild Animals - Find Your Park Ask a Ranger 10 Essentials - Find Your Park Do Not Feed Wildlife Poster 
Every Kid in a Park Logo Frederick Douglass Hat National Park Service Teaching with Museum Collections Lesson Plan Introduction to World Heritage Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site Youth Summer Leadership Institute Flyer Map Learning Park Symbols Map of Recreational Visitors at each National Park Map of Yellowstone National Park National Park Service Definitions for Fire and Wildfire National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes The First Lady Celebrates the National Park Service Find Your Park The Roland W Robbins Excavations 1948-1953 Massachusetts Archaeology Saugus Iron Works eBook Trip Planning Guide National Park Service Washington DC National Mall Map Download Environmental and Educational Activity Guides, Information, and Resources
A National Park Service Index 2012-2016 All Seasons Safety Activity Book An Overview of Nature eBook Book of Stuff To Do Do Not Feed Wildlife Poster Environmental Games and Activities Finding My Forest Tools to Re-connect with Nature Education Activity Guide Leave No Trace Activity Playbook Spend Time in Nature Parent Guide 
