Brigadier General Charles Young
Young, a graduate of West Point Military Academy, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the summer of 1889. In addition to his groundbreaking military career, Young became an educator, diplomat, the first black superintendent of a national park, and civil rights leader. A century after his death Young was posthumously promoted retroactively to brigadier general making him the first Black American recognized with this rank.
Explore his life along the Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor from Camp Nelson National Monument to the birthplace cabin and beyond. Appx. 100 miles
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Camp Nelson National Monument, Nicholasville
The US Army established Camp Nelson in Central Kentucky as a fortified supply depot, forward operating base, and hospital in April 1863 during the American Civil War. Beginning in 1864, thousands of Black men, women and children escaped slavery and journeyed to Camp Nelson. The site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for African American soldiers (United States Colored Troops) and a refugee camp for their families. More than 10,000 formerly enslaved men became soldiers at Camp Nelson in 1864-65.Through museum exhibits and a short film, the visitor center provides an orientation to the historic events that unfolded at Camp Nelson. Exhibits provide a window into the role Camp Nelson played during its height as a military installation, supply depot, hospital, recruitment center, and refugee camp. Several historic buildings and the neighboring National Cemetery are connected by more than 5 miles of walking trails. - 2 / 6
Charles Young Birthplace Cabin
Charles Young was born to enslaved parents, Gabriel, and Arminta Young in the small cabin in 1864. The cabin is located 1.5 miles southeast of May's Lick on KY 324Contact Mason County Government for information on visiting the Brigadier General Charles Young Birthplace. 606-564-6706
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The Rosenwald Negro School, 5005 Raymond Road, Mays Lick
After the Civil War the May's lick Negro School was one of the first schools for African American children in Mason County. The original school was built behind the Second Baptist Church of May's lick in 1868 and served the May's Lick community until 1921.In 1921 the Rosenwald Foundation supported the African American community's construction of a consolidated school for May's Lick, Helena, Lewisburg, Neptune, Wedonia and Sardis. The Rosenwald May's Lick Negro School is now listed on the US National Register of Historical Places.606-375-3044 - 4 / 6
2nd Baptist Church, 5005 Raymond Road, Mays Lick
"Touching the World from May's lick" is the historic Second Baptist Church which has stood as a lighthouse in the community since 1855. Located only a few miles down the road from the birthplace of Brigadier General Charles Young, it is where the family received its spiritual foundation and guidance. The church is still active today.
606-769-6735
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Kentucky African American Heritage Center, Louisville
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage displays the Brigadier General Charles Young Veteran Flag Memorial on the south lawn. In the shadow of the flag memorial inside the Heritage Center is an exhibit commemorating Brigadier General Charles Young. This exhibition, Brigadier General Charles Young: Soldier, Educator, Diplomat, & Civil Rights Advocate, is dedicated to the unheralded military hero, the third black graduate of West Point, the first African American national park superintendent, the first black U.S. military attaché, the first African American officer to command a regular army regiment, and the highest-ranking African American officer in the United States Army until his death. - 6 / 6
More Mason County African American Heritage sites
The Marshall Key House is home to the Harriet Beecher Stowe, Slavery to Freedom Museum. Maysville. Ms. Stowe visited the Marshall House in 1833 where she witnessed a slave auction. She later references this event in her book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” 1001-1019 Forest Ave. MaysvilleThe National Underground Railroad Museum is housed in the Bierbower House, on the banks of the Ohio River. The Bierbower family provided a safe house along the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves aiding in their journey to freedom. 38 West 4th Street, Historic District, Maysville - 1 / 6
Camp Nelson National Monument, Nicholasville
The US Army established Camp Nelson in Central Kentucky as a fortified supply depot, forward operating base, and hospital in April 1863 during the American Civil War. Beginning in 1864, thousands of Black men, women and children escaped slavery and journeyed to Camp Nelson. The site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for African American soldiers (United States Colored Troops) and a refugee camp for their families. More than 10,000 formerly enslaved men became soldiers at Camp Nelson in 1864-65.Through museum exhibits and a short film, the visitor center provides an orientation to the historic events that unfolded at Camp Nelson. Exhibits provide a window into the role Camp Nelson played during its height as a military installation, supply depot, hospital, recruitment center, and refugee camp. Several historic buildings and the neighboring National Cemetery are connected by more than 5 miles of walking trails. - 2 / 6
Charles Young Birthplace Cabin
Charles Young was born to enslaved parents, Gabriel, and Arminta Young in the small cabin in 1864. The cabin is located 1.5 miles southeast of May's Lick on KY 324Contact Mason County Government for information on visiting the Brigadier General Charles Young Birthplace. 606-564-6706
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The Rosenwald Negro School, 5005 Raymond Road, Mays Lick
After the Civil War the May's lick Negro School was one of the first schools for African American children in Mason County. The original school was built behind the Second Baptist Church of May's lick in 1868 and served the May's Lick community until 1921.In 1921 the Rosenwald Foundation supported the African American community's construction of a consolidated school for May's Lick, Helena, Lewisburg, Neptune, Wedonia and Sardis. The Rosenwald May's Lick Negro School is now listed on the US National Register of Historical Places.606-375-3044 - 4 / 6
2nd Baptist Church, 5005 Raymond Road, Mays Lick
"Touching the World from May's lick" is the historic Second Baptist Church which has stood as a lighthouse in the community since 1855. Located only a few miles down the road from the birthplace of Brigadier General Charles Young, it is where the family received its spiritual foundation and guidance. The church is still active today.
606-769-6735
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Kentucky African American Heritage Center, Louisville
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage displays the Brigadier General Charles Young Veteran Flag Memorial on the south lawn. In the shadow of the flag memorial inside the Heritage Center is an exhibit commemorating Brigadier General Charles Young. This exhibition, Brigadier General Charles Young: Soldier, Educator, Diplomat, & Civil Rights Advocate, is dedicated to the unheralded military hero, the third black graduate of West Point, the first African American national park superintendent, the first black U.S. military attaché, the first African American officer to command a regular army regiment, and the highest-ranking African American officer in the United States Army until his death. - 6 / 6
More Mason County African American Heritage sites
The Marshall Key House is home to the Harriet Beecher Stowe, Slavery to Freedom Museum. Maysville. Ms. Stowe visited the Marshall House in 1833 where she witnessed a slave auction. She later references this event in her book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” 1001-1019 Forest Ave. MaysvilleThe National Underground Railroad Museum is housed in the Bierbower House, on the banks of the Ohio River. The Bierbower family provided a safe house along the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves aiding in their journey to freedom. 38 West 4th Street, Historic District, Maysville - 1 / 6
Camp Nelson National Monument, Nicholasville
The US Army established Camp Nelson in Central Kentucky as a fortified supply depot, forward operating base, and hospital in April 1863 during the American Civil War. Beginning in 1864, thousands of Black men, women and children escaped slavery and journeyed to Camp Nelson. The site evolved into a massive recruitment and training center for African American soldiers (United States Colored Troops) and a refugee camp for their families. More than 10,000 formerly enslaved men became soldiers at Camp Nelson in 1864-65.Through museum exhibits and a short film, the visitor center provides an orientation to the historic events that unfolded at Camp Nelson. Exhibits provide a window into the role Camp Nelson played during its height as a military installation, supply depot, hospital, recruitment center, and refugee camp. Several historic buildings and the neighboring National Cemetery are connected by more than 5 miles of walking trails. - 2 / 6
Charles Young Birthplace Cabin
Charles Young was born to enslaved parents, Gabriel, and Arminta Young in the small cabin in 1864. The cabin is located 1.5 miles southeast of May's Lick on KY 324Contact Mason County Government for information on visiting the Brigadier General Charles Young Birthplace. 606-564-6706
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The Rosenwald Negro School, 5005 Raymond Road, Mays Lick
After the Civil War the May's lick Negro School was one of the first schools for African American children in Mason County. The original school was built behind the Second Baptist Church of May's lick in 1868 and served the May's Lick community until 1921.In 1921 the Rosenwald Foundation supported the African American community's construction of a consolidated school for May's Lick, Helena, Lewisburg, Neptune, Wedonia and Sardis. The Rosenwald May's Lick Negro School is now listed on the US National Register of Historical Places.606-375-3044 - 4 / 6
2nd Baptist Church, 5005 Raymond Road, Mays Lick
"Touching the World from May's lick" is the historic Second Baptist Church which has stood as a lighthouse in the community since 1855. Located only a few miles down the road from the birthplace of Brigadier General Charles Young, it is where the family received its spiritual foundation and guidance. The church is still active today.
606-769-6735
- 5 / 6
Kentucky African American Heritage Center, Louisville
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage displays the Brigadier General Charles Young Veteran Flag Memorial on the south lawn. In the shadow of the flag memorial inside the Heritage Center is an exhibit commemorating Brigadier General Charles Young. This exhibition, Brigadier General Charles Young: Soldier, Educator, Diplomat, & Civil Rights Advocate, is dedicated to the unheralded military hero, the third black graduate of West Point, the first African American national park superintendent, the first black U.S. military attaché, the first African American officer to command a regular army regiment, and the highest-ranking African American officer in the United States Army until his death. - 6 / 6
More Mason County African American Heritage sites
The Marshall Key House is home to the Harriet Beecher Stowe, Slavery to Freedom Museum. Maysville. Ms. Stowe visited the Marshall House in 1833 where she witnessed a slave auction. She later references this event in her book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” 1001-1019 Forest Ave. MaysvilleThe National Underground Railroad Museum is housed in the Bierbower House, on the banks of the Ohio River. The Bierbower family provided a safe house along the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves aiding in their journey to freedom. 38 West 4th Street, Historic District, Maysville
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Trip Inspiration
The Brigadier General Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor is presented by the Kentucky Legislative Black Caucus with thanks to the National Coalition of Black Veterans Association.