Opening March 16-Yours for Race and Country: Reflections on the Life of Colonel Charles Young

The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, in collaboration with internationally renowned quilt artist, curator and educator Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, will open a new exhibit, Yours for Race and Country: Reflections on the Life of Colonel Charles Young on Sat. March 16. The new exhibition of quilts celebrates the life of Col. Charles Young (1864-1922).  The exhibit consists of 33 handcrafted quilts by members of the Women of Color Quilters Network and will run until August 17, 2019. The exhibit also includes Col. Young artifacts from the NAAMCC collections. 

We will celebrate the March 16 exhibit opening with these activities:

• 10 am— 11 am-Tour the museum’s current exhibits:  African Americans Fighting for a Double Victory, What’s in your attic?--Selections from Our Permanent Collection, and Behind the Mask: Black Power in Comics
• 11 am— 11:45 am—Yours For Race and Country: Reflections on the Life of Colonel Charles Young exhibit opening program.  Meet and talk with the quilt artists after the program.
• Noon-1 pm—Lunch (for an additional $5 fee)
• 1:30 pm—Express Yourself Saturday art workshop

Programs are included with paid museum admission: $6/adult, $5/senior, $3/ages 6–17.  Free/Ohio History Connection & NAAMCC members.  For more information, call 800.752.2603 ext. 7 or go to ohiohistory.org/naamcc
 
About Col. Charles Young
Col. Charles Young was born into slavery in Mays Lick, KY, in 1864. During the Civil War, his father, Gabriel Young, enlisted in the Union Army and moved the family to southwest Ohio.  In 1884, Charles Young received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was subjected to racial insults and social isolation. He persevered and became the third African American to graduate from West Point in 1889-- the last for over forty years. From 1889 to 1894, Young commanded Black troops that patrolled the western frontier.  During the 1898 Spanish-American War, he commanded the 9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Battalion. Later he led troops in the Philippine-American War.  In 1903, he was assigned to manage California's Sequoia National Park, becoming the first African American park superintendent.

Young was appointed the first African American Military Attaché, serving in that capacity in the Black Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic from 1904 to 1907. In 1917, Army doctors diagnosed Young with Bright’s disease. Although doctors recommended he be allowed to continue in active service, he was involuntarily retired and was promoted as the first African American Colonel. He protested his forced retirement by riding his horse from Wilberforce, Ohio to Washington, D.C. to prove his fitness. He was re-activated in 1919 only days before the end of World War I, but it was too late to command troops in Europe or to be promoted as the first Black General. Young accepted reassignment as Military Attaché to the Republic of Liberia. He died in 1922 while on an intelligence mission in Nigeria.

Current Exhibits:

• African Americans Fighting for a Double Victory-Now through Sept. 2022
• Behind the Mask: Black Power in Comics-Now through 2022
• What's in Your Attic? Selections from Our Permanent Collections Now through 2022

Upcoming Events and Programs

Express Yourself Saturdays
Sat. March 16 • 1:30 p.m.
Sat. April 13 •  2:30 p.m.
Sat. May 11 • 2:30 p.m.
Sat. June 15 • 2:30 p.m.
Join Cincinnati artist Talitha Sydnei'a to create unique art. Program and art materials included with paid museum admission: $6/adult, $5/senior, $3/ages 6–17, Free/Ohio History Connection & NAAMCC members. 800.752.2603 ext. 7 or http://ohiohistory.org/naamcc

Historically Speaking Lecture Series
Sat. April 20 • 1 p.m.    
The Lincoln School Story: The Battle for School Desegregation in Hillsboro, Ohio
Learn more about the history of the integration of Hillsboro schools in the mid-1950's through a film created by Cincinnati documentary filmmaker, Andrea Torrice.  After the film, a panel of surviving Hillsboro students will give more insight into their groundbreaking experiences and how it shaped the rest of their lives.  Program included with paid museum admission: $6/adult, $5/senior, $3/ages 6–17, Free/Ohio History Connection & NAAMCC members. 800.752.2603 or http://ohiohistory.org/naamcc

2019 Juneteenth Celebration
Sat. June 15  • Noon- 4 p.m.   
NAAMCC will celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the Confederate South.

The event will feature history interpreter Rory Rennick’s new show: The Henry "Box" Brown: His Life & Legacy. 2019 marks the 170th anniversary of the incredible escape of the enslaved-turned magical entertainer Henry “Box” Brown.  Magician, actor and author Rory Rennick, who has portrayed the iconic historical figure for well over a decade, now presents the Henry "Box" Brown Life & Legacy Event.  He is considered the foremost authority on Henry Box Brown and will be sharing some previously unpublished information about Henry’s life in England and subsequent return to North America.

We will also host a Juneteenth themed Express Yourself Saturday art workshop at 2:30 p.m. Programs and all activities included with paid museum admission: $6/adult, $5/senior, $3/ages 6–17, Free/Ohio History Connection & NAAMCC members. 800.752.2603 or http://ohiohistory.org/naamcc


Community Events
Fri., April 12 • 5-8 p.m.    
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – Rho Omega Chapter, in conjunction with The National Afro‐American Museum and Cultural Center, invites you to join us for AKA Global Impact Day Observance!

• Get ready for a mouth‐watering trip around the world without having to purchase a plane ticket. Sample food from local Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Greek, Thai, and Mediterranean restaurants from 5 – 7 p.m.
• West African Dance Workshop led by Uzuri Asad-wear your exercise clothing and learn to move and dance to the rhythms of the Diaspora. All ages and abilities are welcome – water will be provided from 6 – 7 p.m.
• Pillowcase Dresses Sewing Station-Follow a few simple steps and learn how to make a dress from a pillowcase. All completed dresses will be donated to Little Dresses for Africa. Pillowcase donations are welcome. The event is free! For more information, contact Shannon Moore at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NAAMCC News

NAAMCC had a very busy February!

Special Thanks to Gov. Mike DeWine, State Rep. Stephanie Howse, State Rep. Juanita Brent, State Sen. Bob Hackett, Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Randy Gardner, NAAMCC founding director Dr. John Fleming and all the other state dignitaries for visiting NAAMCC on Feb.4.

In addition to our well-attended Black History Month events and the 14 groups and field trips hosted at the museum, we presented a lecture at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Yellow Springs on our Behind the Mask: Black Power in Comics exhibit. NAAMCC staff also joined the staff and over 200 supporters of the Ohio History Connection at the 2019 Statehood Day event at the Ohio Statehouse on Feb. 27.

Moratorium on Donation and Loan Requests Ends
The moratorium on research requests, donations and collection loans ended on January 1, 2019. Scholars and researchers can begin to contact our collections staff for assistance on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to begin the process. NAAMCC will now also consider new donations from the public this year based on our 2019 collection priorities:  

• Black Comic Book Items
• Ohio Living Artist's artwork
• NAAMCC Traveling Exhibit Items
• Women’s Suffrage Centennial

NAAMCC, like all museums, has a responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards of professional collections management practices. NAAMCC may consider other material of significant historical importance. All proposed donations will need to be approved by museum administration before they can be accepted. For more information, contact Linda Collins, NAAMCC collections manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 800.752.2603 ext. 2124.

Become a supporter of $30 for 30

The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary! Over the years, we have created thought-provoking exhibits, built comprehensive collections, and presented exceptional programs as a part of our mission to preserve African American history and culture.Your investment will help us to continue to care for our treasured collections, develop quality educational programming, and provide improvements to our facilities.

We hope you will give $30 or more to the campaign and encourage your family and friends to join you in supporting our mission. You can mail your $30 or more contribution to: 

National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center
P.O. Box 578
Wilberforce, Ohio 45384-0578

Or call 800.752.2603 ext. 7 to make a credit card donation by phone. Stay tuned...we will launch an online giving option by Fall 2019!