Making National News

From the National Trust for Historic Preservation "Diversity Scholarship Program Alumni Newsletter, September, 2009:

An ambitious capital campaign attempts to save one of Houston’s finest architectural structures from decades of abandonment and neglect

Old Armory

The architectural majesty of the Houston Light Guard Armory, designed in 1925, is marked by its interior and exterior facade and its decorated past. After serving 13 years as home of the Houston National Guard, the property was deeded to the State of Texas. For nearly half a century, the “old armory” endured harsh Gulf Coast weather conditions, vandalism, and ill-fated acquisition attempts. In 2008 the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum successfully purchased the property to serve as home of the only nationally recognized museum solely dedicated to preserving the legacy of the African American soldier. With green building restoration plans underway, this longtime “community eyesore” may reclaim its architectural and historic grandeur - entrusting a rich preservation legacy to its new owners.

Edward “Ed” Udell serves as the Donor Development director for the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and played a critical role in helping the museum founder, Captain Paul Matthews, raise the funds to purchase the “old armory” in April 2008. With an extensive background in fundraising and nearly 30 years of preservation experience, Udell is well suited to take on some of the financial challenges with restoring the Houston landmark. Unfazed by the downward spiraling economy, Udell, Matthews, museum board members, and friends of the museum are now helping to raise $4.1 million to renovate and preserve the historic site. Many key people, including Mayor Bill White and Tracye McDaniel of the Greater Houston Partnership are also helping with this effort.

To date, the museum has received cash and pledges from major foundations and corporations such as The Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, Houston Endowment, Marathon Oil, Chevron Oil, Wells Fargo Bank, CenterPoint Energy, and The Brown Foundation. It has also received in-kind contributions from Comcast, Continental Airlines, and members of the African American Press in Greater Houston. The National Trust for Historic Preservation provided funding to help with the initial design work. Udell is also involved in the “Leave A Legacy…Buy A Brick” paver program to raise at least $2 million. He intends to work closely with the museum founder to develop additional programming to raise another $2 million to meet the funding goal for full renovation.

Udell performs much of his museum development and fundraising work for the armory on a volunteer basis.

It was his combined passions for preservation and community activism that landed him slots as a 2008 and a 2009 Diversity Scholar. His goal in attending the Tulsa National Preservation Conference in 2008 was to work alongside the National Trust “to help connect to the resources of people and financial resources to make the effort with the armory a stronger reality.” Udell will represent the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and exhibit a poster presentation that features the old armory at the 2009 National Preservation Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

For more information about the restoration of the Houston Light Guard Armory and the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, visit http://offcite.org/2009/03/26/houston-light-guard-armory-buffalo-soldiers or www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com.

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