The Center for African American Military History, Inc., DBA Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM), has launched a $13 million capital campaign entitled Ready & Forward to repair and renovate our historic facility, expand and improve our exhibits and programs, and ensure the museum’s long-term sustainability.

Ready & Forward Campaign Illustration

Our Mission

To explore and display the stories and contributions of African Americans in the military by way of performing and visual arts, educational programming,and exhibitions.

Our Vision

To extend public knowledge of the achievements of all the nation’s African American armed forces personnel to the general public, thus building pride and patriotism throughout all of the communities we serve.

BSNM has the duty and responsibility to ensure that African American military history continues to be shared.

Our work extends beyond artifacts, weapons, and uniforms. We share the untold stories of African American military men and women who uplift, encourage, and inspire individuals from all walks of life and restore newfound respect and admiration for our nation and those who serve.

A short history of the Buffalo Soldiers
And the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Group of Buffalo Soldiers
1863–1866

The First Buffalo Soldiers

After Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, the U.S. government officially began recruiting, enlisting, and training Black soldiers. Through an act of Congress in 1866, legislation was adopted to create six all-African American Army units: The 9th and 10th cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments, known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

1863–1866
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1866–1898

Buffalo Soldiers on the Frontier

The Buffalo Soldiers are deployed to the Western Frontier to help protect settlers from Native American attacks and enforce U.S. government policies. The Buffalo Soldiers are deployed to Cuba during the Spanish-American War, where they served with distinction in the battles of San Juan Hill and El Caney.

1866–1898
ww2-bs
1939–1945

World War II

Of the 900,000 Black men and women who served in WWII, many served in new roles such as the Tuskegee Airmen, the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the Women’s Army Corps, the 761st Tank Battalion, and the Marine Corps.

1939–1945
445-100-harry-truman-desegregation-copy
July 26, 1948

Armed Forces Desegregated

President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, desegregating the armed forces. The Buffalo Soldiers are officially disbanded, and their regiments are integrated into the U.S. Army.

July 26, 1948
1992

Buffalo Soldiers Day

Congress passed a law designating July 28 as Buffalo Soldiers Day.

1992
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2000

Planning the Museum

In March of 2000, Captain Paul Matthews and his wife, Barbara, initiated the museum discussion: What to do with the many books and artifacts they had collected over the years? They started developing an action plan to conduct an inventory of the artifacts. In April, the Matthews filed documents as Center for African American Military History, DBA Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. By October, they signed a contract to rent the first floor of a building.

2000
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January 5, 2001

The Museum Opens

Reverend Byron Stevenson blessed the building and our mission, and we opened the door for business. The museum doors opened at 1834 Southmore, in the historic 3rd Ward and within the Houston Museum District.

January 5, 2001
2006

The Congressional Gold Medal

The Tuskegee Airmen are honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for their service and sacrifice.

2006
BSNM Exterior
2008–2012

Moving to the Armory

Board of Directors approves the purchase of the Houston Light Guard Armory, built in 1925 at 3816 Caroline Street, as the new home of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.

The launch of a $4.1 million campaign to restore and preserve the Houston Light Guard Armory begins.

BSNM receives $500,000 from the Herzstein Foundation to begin Phase 1 of the preservation and renovation project.

Phase 1 Completed: After years of raising the necessary funds to restore the Armory, the museum opened its doors of the new facility to the public in 2012.

2008–2012
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2016–2017

Change of Command

In 2016, Desmond Bertrand-Pitts, Captain Matthews’ grandson, became the Interim Executive Director and was named CEO during a Change of Command Ceremony on Veterans Day November 11, 2017.

2016–2017
2021

Houston Endwoment Gift

BSNM received a gift of $750,000 from Houston Endowment to support the museum’s general operations and their efforts to improve their sustainability.

2021
2022

Ready & Forward

The final phase of the preservation and renovation began on the Houston Light Guard Armory, completing a 14-year project to restore and rehabilitate the historic building. A Houston Chronicle article officially announces the launch of the $13 million dollar capital campaign, branded as the Ready & Forward campaign, with $2 million in gifts from the Kinder Foundation and $1.5 million from The Houston Endowment—the largest gifts in the museum’s history.

2022

Challenges and Priorities

In 2012, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum seized the opportunity to save the historic Houston Light Guard (HLG) Armory and turn it into a new home for our growing museum. The three-story building is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, a City of Houston Protected Landmark, and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

BSNM began repairing and renovating the Armory, which had been neglected for almost 70 years. We reorganized the space to create galleries, a small theater, gift shop, multipurpose rooms, a ballroom, and exterior program and exhibition spaces. In 2017, however, Hurricane Harvey caused extensive damage to the building. Many artifacts are being stored on-site until needed repairs are completed.

A recent structural investigation of our building identified numerous repairs that must be made to reactivate interior and exterior spaces that have been closed due to damage and safety concerns. These include addressing structural rust and cracking, unstable brick work and concrete, cracked roof seams, moisture intrusion, leaking windows, and gaps between doors and jambs.

In addition to these repairs,

the BSNM has identified other mission-critical priorities:

Enhancing the Armory

Expanding and improving exhibit and archival spaces, incorporating modern museum components, and enhancing the visitor experience.

Elevating Archival Capabilities

Creating space to properly collect, preserve, and catalog treasured artifacts; space for community members to conduct research on the Buffalo Soldiers; classrooms for archival instruction and community use; and enhanced office and collaborative spaces for museum staff.

Expanding Reach & Education Services

Extending beyond the Armory through on-site and virtual programming.

Achieving Sustainability

Allowing for sustained enhancements and growth of the BSNM.

Campaign Budget and Capacity for Success

Ready & Forward Campaign Budget
Enhance the Armory $7,190,000
Elevate Archival Capabilities $1,885,000
Expand Reach & Educational Programs Endowment $1,695,000
Endowment $1,000,000
Establish Sustainability for Staff Growth $755,000
Campaign Administration $475,000
Total $13,000,000

BSNM’s annual operating budget is $1.5 million (FY2022). Thanks to diversified revenue and prudent financial management, we have had a balanced budget every year since 2002 amid steady operational growth.

With a strong and highly committed board and leadership, broad community support, and success with prior campaigns, the BSNM anticipates success with the current campaign. To date, we have secured $2.6 million in commitments toward our $13 million goal, thanks to generous support from The Brown Foundation, Kinder Foundation, the State of Texas Historical Commission, The Houston Endowment, and others.

60,000 Visitors Annually

Expected Impact

Upon completion, BSNM expects to serve approximately 60,000 students, adults, and veterans annually with newly renovated, state-of-the-art exhibitions, and an elevated museum experience. New collections and classroom spaces will also allow the museum to welcome community members interested in archival and preservation, while also positioning the museum as a national resource for those researching the history of African American military service.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

Kinder Foundation  |  Houston Endowment  |  Brown Foundation

Elkins Foundation
Cullen Foundation
Texas Historical Commission
Board of Trustees and Advisors Pledge
Anonymous Donor
Dearing Family Foundation
Wortham Foundation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Secretary James A Baker
Strake Foundation
Restoration Services Incorporated
Museum Arts