For the next month, area residents can visit the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center in Maysville to view a maquette that highlights the accomplishments of U.S. Army Col. Charles Young.
The maquette was commissioned by the National Coalition of Black Veterans in conjunction with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and was originally unveiled at a commemoration ceremony held on Sept. 28 at the May's Lick cabin, where Young was born.
The maquette highlights the life and achievements of Young, who graduated from West Point in 1889 and went on to serve as a Buffalo soldier, as well as military attache' to Haiti and Liberia during his career; served in the Spanish-American War; and served as acting superintendent of Sequoia National Park, among other achievements.
Young was born a slave at the cabin in May's Lick in 1864, before his family moved to Ripley, Ohio.
"This is a chance for the people of our area to see and read about (Young's) life and accomplishments," KGMC Curator Sue Ellen Grannis said.
The maquette, which was most recently on display at the Kentucky Center for African American Studies in Louisville, will remain at KGMC until June 14, when it will be sent to California, according to former Mason County Judge-Executive James "Buddy" Gallenstein.
Gallenstein said he was pleased to see the maquette returned to Mason County during the months of May and June.
"I'm pleased the museum will show it through all of May and most of June," Gallenstein said. "The people of Mason County will enjoy the exhibit and I hope as many as possible go to the museum to see it."
The maquette is free to visit.
The NCBV will also be hosting a day of recognition on May 13 at the Mason County High School Fieldhouse. During the day, the MCHS Col. Charles Young Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Battalion will be presented with a commemorative poster that acknowledges the battalion name.
The battalion name was changed in March as a way to honor Young and is the first battalion in the country honoring Young, according to NCBV Representative Charles Blatcher, III.
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