Great Council State Park

Great Council State Park is Ohio's 76th state park, established to honor and preserve the rich history and culture of the Shawnee people and their enduring connection to the land. It is located in western Ohio, near the Little Miami River, a region central to Shawnee history and pivotal events that shaped Native and American narratives.

• The main feature of Great Council State Park is the 12,000-square-foot interpretive center. The building itself is a glass and metal exterior meant to resemble wood paneling, with ample windows to light the interior. The inside of the building includes a number of different exhibits, such as a 3/4 scale model of a wiikiwa, living stream, rotating gallery space, and more. Outside, there are 2 mowed-grass trails through the restored prairie, with options to walk between .5 miles and 1.1 miles.

National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center

Explore ingenuity, creativity, and resilience through captivating exhibits, artifacts, and art at the nation’s first museum dedicated to African American history on a national scale. The museum holds the largest known collection of artifacts belonging to General Young from his military service and family life in Wilberforce.

• When you first walk into the Museum, you are met with larger-than-life portraits of Charles Young, Hallie Quinn Brown and a Tuskegee airman. The Great Hall, with its 40-foot ceiling, takes one's breath away and fosters a sense of wonderment. Our multipurpose space, located just past the Great Hall, features a customizable layout of tables and chairs. The space can accommodate visitors who've brought their lunches or have catered in as well as students ready to be engaged with age-appropriate lesson and activities that utilize materials and objects from our collections. The Museum typically features five exhibits (depending on our curators' exhibit calendar) within our three gallery spaces. Every component of the Museum is easily accessible as all visitor-related areas are located on the first floor.

Youngsholm

• Youngsholm
• The Young family home, Youngsholm, has reopened after a multi-year restoration. Contact the park by email at chyo_info@nps.gov if you have questions or concerns. You can view the searchable park Calendar to see what events are planned or visit our social media pages to stay up-to-date on current park happenings.

• Watch "A Triumph of Tragedy: The Life of Charles Young"
• Learn about the life and legacy of General Charles Young while viewing our 10 minute film. This is the park's official introductory film.

• Become a Charles Young Buffalo Soldier Junior Ranger
• Do you care about exploring, learning about, and protecting Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument? If yes, become a Junior Ranger! There are many ways to be a Junior Ranger at Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers, and this fun activity book is a great place to start.

• 497 Mile Virtual Running and Bicycling Club
• In 1918, Colonel Charles Young completed a physically and mentally challenging 497 horseback ride from Wilberforce, Ohio to Washington D.C. in 16 days to prove his physical fitness for military combat duty. Today, we invite those who are physically and mentally fit to challenge themselves and complete their own 497 mile journey by walking, running, hiking or biking.