About

The Los Banos Buffalo Soldier – 9th and 10th Cavalry Association is an IRS recognized 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that helps in educating the public about the existence of the Buffalo Soldiers while preserving, promoting and perpetuating the history, tradition and outstanding contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers toward the development and defense of the United States of America.

Our Mission

To interpret, articulate, collect, display and preserve history, historical artifacts, documents, videos, prints and other historical memorabilia which details the history for the brave men and women who overcame extreme adversity while gallantly fighting the great American wars.

Our Goals - Short Term

To Get Colonel Charles Young promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
To have the City of Los Banos make a proclamation that May 26th is Buffalo Soldier Day.
To have the City of Los Banos make a Proclamation that June 1st is Colonel Charles Young Day.
To “Reconstruct” the Buffalo Soldier Trail (from the Presidio to Sequoia National Park), commencing May 20, 2010; leading a 16 day commemorative journey, stopping in each of the cities where the Buffalo Soldiers rested in 1903.
To get the Buffalo Soldier Trail recognized under the National Historic Trail System as a National Historic Trail; which could be included in a Congressional call for a Buffalo Soldier Theme Study, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to conduct resesarch, commemorate and interpret the role of the Buffalo Soldiers and Charles Young in the early management of our national park system.

Our Goals - Long Term

To establish a regular and continuous Living History program for California’s school system that teaches Buffalo Soldier history.
To ensure this history is truthfully inserted in the primary education history books not only of California but also our nation, along with any racial history of Western people of the 1800s period that has been intentionally and/or unintentionally left out of print.
To secure land(s) sufficient in size to construct a cultural heritage museum and a period military post with small town, fully functional (as is Williamsburg VA.). To run this on a 24 hour – 7 day per week basis, living and working as was done in the 1800s.
To have a fully qualified staff of instructors to help youth with any scholastic problems and at the same time teach them, as they participate, about the 1800s way of life.
To have a traveling display to go anywhere in the continental U.S. every year with demonstrators, teaching the history of the Buffalo Soldiers.
To provide qualified personnel for lectures and motivational speaking on period history to any and all groups, corps, etc. anywhere in the country.
To help the equestrian industry rediscover the horsemanship skills of the Cavalry that have been forgotten over time and attract more youth into the various disciplines of the horse world.
To build a multi-cultural historical center at the site that will encompass the local history of all the different cultures that exist(ed) in Los Banos during the 1900’s. This Center will also house the Northern California Buffalo Soldier Museum, and a multi-cultural museum. The Center will have a conference area for classroom lessons.
To build a period correct encampment where the public can come and immerse themselves physically into the daily life of the 1900’s.

Questions and Answers

How long have we been around?

The Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers 9th & 10th Cavalry Association was formed in December 2008.

How did you get started?

While researching the cultural diversity of Los Banos history, Geneva Brett our Vice President came across references to the Buffalo Soldiers, their impact on our local National Parks and their stay in Los Banos. Overtime, this interest grew into the Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers 9th and 10th Cavalry Association and this website.

Why do the Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers uniforms look so different from others I’ve seen?

Military uniforms change throughout the years. We’ve chosen the uniform of the “Reconstruction Era”, worn by Charles Young and his Buffalo Soldiers when they became part of our local history in 1903.

What does your Association do/provide?

We provide educational, historical lectures, presentations and other activities to the public.

How can others get involved?

Anyone can become involved by assisting in Association projects, attending meetings and applying for membership in the Association.

How do I become a member?

Any family or individual who have interest in, and agree to adhere to the principals and requirements of these By Laws, honor and emulate the character and behavior of the Buffalo Soldiers, and who meet the Association’s requirements are eligible to become members.

Prospective member(s) must submit a Membership Application (PDF - 60 KB), required fees (or arrangements for payment of same) signed acknowledgment of receipt/understanding and compliance with the By Laws and Code of Conduct (PDF - 60 KB).

There is a 90 day probationary period before admittance into full membership. Although members are not required to completely outfit themselves during this time they cannot participate in “full dress” functions, honor guard, mounted, that kind of thing until they get an “approved” uniform.

What are the cost/fees?

Levels of Membership: There shall be five (5) levels of Membership, without limit in number, open at all times to any qualified person who may apply, pay annual dues and comply with the rules of conduct prescribed in the By-Laws, specified as follows:

(a) Military – Any veterans of upstanding character and moral with a desire to teach and/or portray “BUFFALO SOLDIERS” Includes any person with prior military service or is presently on active duty and is serving honorably or has an Honorable Discharge from U.S. Military service.

Membership Dues for Military Personnel shall be $25.00 per year.

(b) Civilian – We encourage men, women and children of all ethnicities. We’re looking for people willing to tell the history of our ancestors in relation to the Old West period 1866 to 1904.

Membership dues for Civilian Members shall be $50.00 per year.

(c) Supporting – Individuals/families who are unable to actively participate in educational and public appearances, but feel strongly about supporting this organization in its endeavors.

Membership fees for Supporting Individuals/families shall be $35.00 per year per person.

(d) Honorary – Any person who served honorably in the War with Spain (Cuba) or the Punitive Expedition (Mexico) are automatically Honorary Members of this Association. Other Honorary Memberships shall be on a case by case basis determined by the Board of Directors.

Honorary Membership fees shall be $0.00 per year.

(e) Life – At their discretion the Board of Directors may award a Life Membership, without fee, to anyone they deem appropriate. The Board may also establish a Life Membership fee for others who might desire one lump sum payment rather than annual dues.

Lifetime Membership will be $600.00

Make your membership checks payable to:

Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers
9th & 10th Cavalry Association
Attn: Member Dues

1350 E Pacheco, Ste B-167
Los Banos, California 93635