The Buffalo Soldier Era

When did the Buffalo Soldier era Begin?

National museum founder in Houston reviews
the story of these “unsung heroes”
______________________
By EDWARD G. UDELL, SR.


Did the history of the Buffalo Soldiers begin when the West was being won? Or did it begin during the Civil War? Or did it begin with the Cheyenne and Plains Indians?

The answer to that depends on how much one really knows about the history of America, beyond what is learned from distorted Hollywood movies, or from most history books.

Here in Houston, a native-son spent over 30 years researching old books, reading government documents, and collecting letters, photographs, and military artifacts from an age long forgotten by many. Captain Paul J. Matthews, ROTC graduate from Prairie View A&M University, became intrigued when he first heard about Buffalo Soldiers in 1964. Between that time, serving in Vietnam, and then working for Merck Pharmaceuticals, Captain Matthews began a meticulous search for the truth concerning these African Americans called “Buffalo Soldiers” serving in the military after the Civil War. The quest blossomed into the creation of a national museum, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. This museum has the largest collection of any museum in the world concerning the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, with hundreds of artifacts, photographs, letters, old books, uniforms, guns, and ammunition.

Paul Matthews’ journey didn’t just stop with the “official” time of the Buffalo Soldiers from 1866 to 1948, when President Truman signed an executive order for the military to fully integrate. Some generals refused, thus extending the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers beyond 1948. Then some African American military personnel found out some of their history and with pride continued to call themselves “Buffalo Soldiers.” Then there is the story of Colin Powell walking into an African American barber shop and being saluted by an 82-year-old African American WWII veteran who had to carefully rise from his seated position who gave his name, rank, and closed with “Buffalo Soldier.” Colin Powell later saw a street on an Army post, named “9th Street” and discovered it stood for the 9th Calvary of the Buffalo Soldiers. Colin Powell began a campaign and soon there was a monument on this post. To get the full story and flavor, one gets cold chills and a feeling of real pride in America when Captain Matthews tells this story.

Of course, not all Americans who know the true history of the Buffalo Soldiers are excited about their “fierce fighting sprit” and daring exploits. There is the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their interactions with the Native American people. Whether heresay or fact, some Native Americans have had stories passed down through generations of the atrocities of the Buffalo Soldiers in dealing with their people, after their people gave these soldiers their legendary name.

Since there are no living witnesses of what may have happened on every expedition or fight between Buffalo Soldiers and Native Americans (aka The Indian Wars), Captain Matthews has set aside a portion of the museum to honor the Native American people for their role in creating the name “Buffalo Soldiers”. It is his hope that a peace can be brokered with those Native Americans who have heard some of the bad stories of how their people were treated by the Buffalo Soldiers and have had some issues with the “heroic” acts of the Buffalo Soldiers in the West. According to historic documents, the Buffalo Soldiers were the peace-keeping unit of the American Army. There are records showing how the Buffalo Soldiers often had to intervene between the Native Americans and the encroachments and crimes of Anglo settlers. It was often the Buffalo Soldiers who had to help round up Native Americans and ensure their safety onto land set aside by the government through treaties.

The Native American exhibit at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum includes pictures, art work, photographs, and implements of war. When the museum moves into a new location in late 2009, Captain Matthews has plans to expand the Native American exhibit and include a Native American curator, as well as Native Americans on the museum board of directors, on the Founders Club (the museum’s fundraising arm), and have Native Americans to help lead tours as their ancestors are an integral part of the Buffalo Soldier story.

“What is interesting about the Buffalo Soldier history is discovering how the history of other cultures are so connected with them. There were involvements with the Chinese, Hispanics, women, arriving European immigrants, and those of mixed heritage,” Matthews said. “The knowledge of the Buffalo Soldiers history is relevant to all Americans, as well as to many groups from other countries. When the museum made its first trip out of the United States to Belize in October 2008, it was discovered that some Buffalo Soldiers had made trips to that country and settled there.”

Though the full authenticity of the history of the Buffalo Soldiers is still being unraveled, the history at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum cannot be disputed. There are stories of tourists from other countries who tell of their families being saved by members of the Buffalo Soldiers during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the war in the Philipines, as well as stories of lives saved on the western frontier.

Lest the readers just think that all those wearing the label “Buffalo Soldiers” were African American, Captain Matthews relates the story of an Anglo American who served in WWII with a Buffalo Soldier regiment. When Captain Matthews was winding up a tour recently, a visitor shared his story of being one of the few “white men” to serve as a Buffalo Soldier!

The work of the museum caught the attention of a private Buffalo Soldier collector and historian, Anthony L. Powell of California. He and NBA Hall of Famer Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (formerly known as Lew Alcindor), of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, gathered historic photographs and published a book. This book is now in the museum’s book store. Later, Mr. Powell placed some of his $4 million private Buffalo Soldier collection in the museum. He plans to place the balance in the museum when the move is made to more modern facilities.

Matthews and other museum curators and private collectors are hoping to attract over 100,000 visitors annually when the museum moves into the historic Houston Light Guard Armory. Currently, the museum has over 40,000 visitors annually to the museum, as well as those attending special museum presentations at schools and other venues.

“It is very significant about the move we are about to make,” Matthews stated. “This new building was built in 1925, has history back to 1873, and is connected to the Texas State Militia, as well as to the Confederate Army. For over 30 years, the building languished, sometimes used as storage by Houston Community College, and often used by transients. We purchased the property in April, 2008, had a groundbreaking ceremony in May, 2008 with the mayor, civic and corporate leaders, members from local foundations, a spokesperson from the Houston Light Guard Armory Veteran’s Association, a Native American leader, and members from the community.”

Matthews continued by saying, “Our present location at 1834 Southmore has served its purpose for eight years, giving us a place to share with the public. However, the 6,000 square feet and a storage trailer is now too small. Plus, the second floor has been difficult for young children, senior citizens, and the disabled to navigate. The new facility will have 21,000 square feet, ramps, an elevator, and ample parking for tourist buses and the public. Plus, there is a Metro bus stop up the street, and the Metro Light Rail is just two blocks away.”

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum began planning their move to a better facility two years ago. There is a very heart-warming story Captain Matthews tells about how “angels” from the community helped in introducing him to the new location (about 15 blocks from the current museum), and helping to raise funds to purchase the property. “We are thankful for the assistance of our Founders Club (led by Steve Eason of the Houston Chronicle) made up of corporate and civic leaders. They began developing a strategic plan to reach others to help us raise $4.1 million to renovate the Houston Light Guard Armory. This group obtained the services of Tracye McDaniel, COO and Executive Vice President, of the Greater Houston Partnership to serve as the chair of the Capital Campaign.”

Thus far, the museum as raised over $1.3 million, getting two foundation grants of $500,000 each from the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, and the Houston Endowment. The search is underway to find four other foundations or corporations to match these gifts. Also, appeals are being made to others for gifts of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 and more. The museum is offering “naming rights” to those who wish to give significant gifts in the name of their family, corporation, or organization. There are also 35 exhibits and museum spaces that can be named in honor of those giving sizeable gifts. Some donors may wish to purchase brick pavers engraved with their name, the name of their company or family, or to memorialize a loved one.

“The museum also offers historic storytellers, dramatic presentations, and full-length plays about the major era of the Buffalo Soldiers,” Captain Matthews revealed. “Many students and adults need a little extra help in learning from, and understanding, history. When the learning is fun and presented in other venues that today’s society is familiar with, it’s often easier to remember dates, places, and characters.”

When Captain Matthews mentions the “major era” of the Buffalo Soldiers, he is describing the time from 1866 to 1952. However, the full story of the Buffalo Soldiers cannot be understood without connecting them to the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, The Spanish-American War, the War of 1812, the Revolutionary War, slavery, Africa, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and the war to conquer Space. Visitors to the museum are often amazed at the connection of African Americans in all of America’s wars, contrary to what has been portrayed in Hollywood since 1909. Only at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum can more real history be found. There are probably dozens of films that could be made from the letters, notes, pictures, artifacts, and government documents found at the museum.

The exhibits at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is divided into: The Beginning of the Buffalo Soldiers; the Western Era; the Native American Room; the Work of Chaplains; Honoring Buffalo Soldier Women; the war in the Philipines; The Spanish American War; WWI; WWII; the Korean War; the Vietnam War; the Medal of Honor and other medals exhibits; the uniform room; the Space exhibit; and the Ranch Tools Room. The new facility will feature an expanded version of those listed above, plus will feature items archived and never exhibited. The $4 million Anthony L. Powell private collection will also be on hand, along with new materials and sculptures. Houston Community College, one of the many educational partners of the museum, will offer some specialty classes. There will also be a place for the young and older visitors to do research and work on computers, surrounded by music and a deli shop. Along with an area for performances, the new facility will have space which can be rented out by groups for meetings, receptions, weddings, and other community uses.

Captain Matthews and the museum board is also working to use “green building” principles as they renovate the Houston Light Guard Armory. “Energy is becoming scarce and expensive. The museum wants to do its part to save energy and cut back on carbon emissions. We have put together a team of environment-savvy professionals who are designing and using their engineering expertise to offer a building to the public that is safe, energy-efficient, and one that will be a model for future generations.”


 Where: The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, 1834 Southmore Blvd., behind Walgreen’s on Almeda, right off the 288 Freeway
 When: Mondays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturdays, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and private tours by appointment
 Tickets: $2 donation per person until November, 2009
 Info: Go to www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com or call 713-942-8920.


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