Edward G. Udell, Sr., community consultant with the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas has been selected for the second year in a row as a Diversity Scholar with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Ed will be attending the 2009 National Preservation Conference in Nashville, Tennessee October 12 - 16 where he will unveil the "Save The Armory" Project.
The web site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation tells their story: The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities. On his own, Ed Udell had been helping in several other cities with saving properties and doing community clean-up. His most recent project before working with the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum was helping with clean-up efforts resulting from Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina. He spent almost 8 months away from Houston, actually living in a warehouse or sleeping in damaged hotels in order to help with those clean-up challenges.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities. Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the Trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to protect the irreplaceable places that tell America's story. Staff at the Washington, DC, headquarters, six regional offices and 29 historic sites work with the Trust's 270,000 members and thousands of preservation groups in all 50 states.
The need for the National Trust for Historic Preservation has increased since its founding in 1949. When historic buildings and neighborhoods are torn down or allowed to deteriorate, a part of our past disappears forever. When that happens, we lose history that helps us know who we are, and we lose opportunities to live and work in the kinds of interesting and attractive surroundings that older buildings can provide. The historic Houston Light Guard Armory has rich history that must be shared. When restoration is completed, it will also provide needed space for the expansion of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum's exhibits, and educational and community outreach programs.
Other information from the National Trust for Historic Preservation talks about the Diversity Scholarship Program: Since 1992, the Diversity Scholarship Program (DSP) has provided financial assistance (which can covers registration and shared lodging) to more than 1,100 individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds. The goal of the Diversity Scholarship Program is to increase the diversity of participants at the annual National Preservation Conference and in the preservation movement. The Program provides financial assistance to approximately 60 community leaders from diverse social, economic, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to attend the National Preservation Conference. Through interactive sessions, presentations, informal gatherings, and tours of the host city and surrounding areas, participants will learn the necessary tools to strengthen their commitment and effectiveness in preserving historic places and revitalizing communities.
The National Trust seeks culturally diverse applicants whose attendance at the Conference will benefit their communities and whose commitment to historic preservation will be reinforced by their participation. Recipients will have an opportunity to express their perspectives during the Conference and to take advantage of National Trust programs after the Conference. The balance to cover Mr. Udell's participation in the Conference will come from those who donate to the general operating expenses of the museum. Ed is trusting that several will step forward and help the museum with this opportunity by contacting the museum before he leaves the morning of October 12th.
Melissa Thibodeaux, professional actress and storyteller with the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, encouraged Mr. Udell to apply for a diversity scholarship in 2008. He applied and was selected. While attending the conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, birthplace of his mother, he attended several workshops and made several field trips to learn more about preserving America's heritage. Ed made some friends and began to share with them the need to save the historic Houston Light Guard Armory in Houston. Over the years, transients have occupied the armory, and the elements, including Hurricane Ike, have wrecked havoc on the building. Prior to the sale of the building to the city by the State of Texas, Houston Community College used the site for storage.
The Houston Light Guard Armory, built in 1925, is one of the oldest National Guard companies in the state of Texas, and was chartered in April 21, 1873---San Jacinto Day. In 1938, The Houston Light Guard's Veterans Association relinquished the property to the state. At one time, the militia attached to the armory had the top drilling militia unit in the nation. This history must be preserved and shared with future generations. Thanks to the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, Houston Endowment, The Brown Foundation, Chevron Oil Company, Shell Oil Company, Marathon Oil Company, the "Preservation Fund" of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and other local businesses, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum was able to purchase the armory, hire engineering and architectural teams, complete artistic renderings, submit architectural plans for approval, and cover some preliminary research and staffing.
Before the economic downturn, members of the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston's local chamber of commerce, and several groups had voiced their support of the project. The museum was looking forward to receiving the $4.1 million necessary to do the major renovations of the armory. After the downturn, early supporters had to put the armory on hold. However, Houston Community College had already signed on to lease space from the museum to offer some special classes in "Global Studies," beginning in 2010---the renovations had to be started soon.
The founder of the museum, Captain Paul J. Matthews, was not deterred by the economic downturn; he developed Plan B. This plan would be carried out by the museum's first paid executive director, Mrs. Cherrie Washington. It entails 8,000 bricks being made available as memorial bricks for the outdoor Soldiers Plaza to honor all veterans. This paver program has bricks that are standard and crimson, and pavers made of granite. The plan involves getting people to invest in the bricks and pavers as a way to honor veterans and others. When many of the bricks and pavers have been sponsored, the contractor will begin the renovations, with the knowledge funding will continue. Also, a private source is considering putting up some funds so the project does not lose momentum in the midst of current economic challenges.
When Mr. Udell unveils the "Save The Armory Project" in Nashville in October, he is hoping to connect with new funders, as well as encourage many to at least invest in a brick or a paver. Between now and November 1, 2010 his challenge is to raise $1 million to ensure the project stays on track. This means 1,000 donors can invest in a $1,000 granite paver; several companies can give $100,000 or more each; and two or three foundations can step forward with a $250,000 or $500,000 grant.
Anyone interested in participating in the "Save The Armory Project," can contact Ed by calling the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum office at 713-942-8920.
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Showing posts with label buffalo soldiers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label buffalo soldiers. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A BANK IS WAITING!
I was recently at a board meeting of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Some great news was shared concerning a press release going out nationally. Also, there was news about a bank very interested in helping!
This bank has been following the development of the museum for some time. They found out that the $4.1 million needed to complete the renovations of the historic Houston Light Guard Armory was coming in a little slow.
Some of those who had promised to help the museum last year ran into some problems---financial meltdown! This problem has caused quite a domino-effect. Foundations that could have helped with grants lost money in the stock market. Some foundations may close. Some corporations and banks ran into investment problems. They cut back; some had to have a government bailout. Thus, the promises of money are still on the table.
While some of these promises may actually turn into cash into the museum someday, today it isn’t happening. The museum is now looking at other ways to raise money and stay close to a target date for opening the new museum. One plan is to sell 8,000 memorial bricks to honor veterans and others. While we are getting some pledges and some actual cash, we need to reach a lot of people and encourage them to send their funds in---now!
The bank wants to help. As soon as we can show this bank that we have pledges in hand for most of the bricks, they will help us. This is great news! Although we had planned to get a lot of money from a few foundations, corporations, and individuals, we will just reach out to more people, making the project a “people’s project.”
Will you be one of those people? The sooner we have names and pledges and/or cash, the sooner you will see and come into the new museum!
While I would love to get 8,000 people to honor a veteran or someone else with a granite brick and send us the money today, I will also be very happy when all 8,000 bricks are sold!
Consider honoring a father by investing in a brick in his honor for Father’s Day. Contact me for further details on this. You may also contact me to let me know how many bricks you would like to have set aside for your pledge. You can give monthly and by November your bricks will be paid for.
Let’s keep the good news going…let’s not keep the bank waiting too long!
This bank has been following the development of the museum for some time. They found out that the $4.1 million needed to complete the renovations of the historic Houston Light Guard Armory was coming in a little slow.
Some of those who had promised to help the museum last year ran into some problems---financial meltdown! This problem has caused quite a domino-effect. Foundations that could have helped with grants lost money in the stock market. Some foundations may close. Some corporations and banks ran into investment problems. They cut back; some had to have a government bailout. Thus, the promises of money are still on the table.
While some of these promises may actually turn into cash into the museum someday, today it isn’t happening. The museum is now looking at other ways to raise money and stay close to a target date for opening the new museum. One plan is to sell 8,000 memorial bricks to honor veterans and others. While we are getting some pledges and some actual cash, we need to reach a lot of people and encourage them to send their funds in---now!
The bank wants to help. As soon as we can show this bank that we have pledges in hand for most of the bricks, they will help us. This is great news! Although we had planned to get a lot of money from a few foundations, corporations, and individuals, we will just reach out to more people, making the project a “people’s project.”
Will you be one of those people? The sooner we have names and pledges and/or cash, the sooner you will see and come into the new museum!
While I would love to get 8,000 people to honor a veteran or someone else with a granite brick and send us the money today, I will also be very happy when all 8,000 bricks are sold!
Consider honoring a father by investing in a brick in his honor for Father’s Day. Contact me for further details on this. You may also contact me to let me know how many bricks you would like to have set aside for your pledge. You can give monthly and by November your bricks will be paid for.
Let’s keep the good news going…let’s not keep the bank waiting too long!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The First Lady---of the BSNM
If this story does not get told, many people will not know. I didn’t know. The museum founder didn’t tell me. The First Lady of the museum didn’t tell me. But, someone else did.
They were childhood sweethearts. She knew about his passion about the Buffalo Soldiers from his college days at Prairie View A&M University. When he served in Vietnam, she knew about his passion. His passion continued as he became a key figure in the pharmaceutical industry. Their home became his place to stash his Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. When he retired, everywhere she looked, there was his collection. The collection spilled over into a garage; into a rented facility; and it just kept growing.
Although Bobbie Matthews shared the passion of her husband, the Matthews’ Buffalo Soldier collection became too much for one family, especially one wife, to share. She suggested to Captain Paul J. Matthews that he find a place to share his passion with the public. She suggested he open a museum. Thus was born the beginning of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. She had no idea what running a museum would entail, but she would soon find out!
When Cherrie Washington, a cousin of the Matthews, found a facility for the museum to begin, more work was required. Since it would take quite a bit of money to begin and run the museum, the family decided to take the retirement funds from Captain Matthews’ job and start the museum. This meant the plans many retirees have of traveling and enjoying their hard work would be tabled. This was an unproved idea. While there were some Buffalo Soldier space in other museums, and some other Buffalo Soldier collectors had some things to show in their home, no one in the world had established a National Buffalo Soldier Museum---the one established by the Matthew Family would be the first in the world!
Renting a facility and exhibiting one’s collection is one thing; developing suitable exhibits and getting people to come by---6 days a week---was quite another. A museum had to have a bookstore and gift shop. Somebody had to help keep the museum open. Somebody had to greet the public. Somebody had to research and display the $1 million-plus Matthews’ Family Buffalo Soldier Collection. It soon became evident that while Captain Matthews was developing a non-profit organization, setting up a board of directors, encouraging educators to bring students, sharing the vision to keep funds coming in, that this “somebody” would be Mrs. Bobbie Matthews.
Between the two of them (sometimes their children and grandchildren) and some volunteers, 80+ hours a week became 4,000 hours a year. Plus, the Matthews had to visit other museums and holders of Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. There were people coming and going daily. There were artifacts to be written up and stored. The bookstore and gift shop had to be opened. Errands had to be run. Mail had to be taken to the post office. Mrs. Matthews became the unofficial “go-to” person. And then there were the receptions to organize; funds to raise; an annual gala to be organized; phones to be answered; and on and on. Thus, the legacy of The First Lady of the Buffalo Soldier National Museum began and continues.
They were childhood sweethearts. She knew about his passion about the Buffalo Soldiers from his college days at Prairie View A&M University. When he served in Vietnam, she knew about his passion. His passion continued as he became a key figure in the pharmaceutical industry. Their home became his place to stash his Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. When he retired, everywhere she looked, there was his collection. The collection spilled over into a garage; into a rented facility; and it just kept growing.
Although Bobbie Matthews shared the passion of her husband, the Matthews’ Buffalo Soldier collection became too much for one family, especially one wife, to share. She suggested to Captain Paul J. Matthews that he find a place to share his passion with the public. She suggested he open a museum. Thus was born the beginning of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. She had no idea what running a museum would entail, but she would soon find out!
When Cherrie Washington, a cousin of the Matthews, found a facility for the museum to begin, more work was required. Since it would take quite a bit of money to begin and run the museum, the family decided to take the retirement funds from Captain Matthews’ job and start the museum. This meant the plans many retirees have of traveling and enjoying their hard work would be tabled. This was an unproved idea. While there were some Buffalo Soldier space in other museums, and some other Buffalo Soldier collectors had some things to show in their home, no one in the world had established a National Buffalo Soldier Museum---the one established by the Matthew Family would be the first in the world!
Renting a facility and exhibiting one’s collection is one thing; developing suitable exhibits and getting people to come by---6 days a week---was quite another. A museum had to have a bookstore and gift shop. Somebody had to help keep the museum open. Somebody had to greet the public. Somebody had to research and display the $1 million-plus Matthews’ Family Buffalo Soldier Collection. It soon became evident that while Captain Matthews was developing a non-profit organization, setting up a board of directors, encouraging educators to bring students, sharing the vision to keep funds coming in, that this “somebody” would be Mrs. Bobbie Matthews.
Between the two of them (sometimes their children and grandchildren) and some volunteers, 80+ hours a week became 4,000 hours a year. Plus, the Matthews had to visit other museums and holders of Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. There were people coming and going daily. There were artifacts to be written up and stored. The bookstore and gift shop had to be opened. Errands had to be run. Mail had to be taken to the post office. Mrs. Matthews became the unofficial “go-to” person. And then there were the receptions to organize; funds to raise; an annual gala to be organized; phones to be answered; and on and on. Thus, the legacy of The First Lady of the Buffalo Soldier National Museum began and continues.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info on Buffalo Soldiers
Thank you, Bob Marley!
His song "Buffalo Soldier" has been around for awhile. However, many who hear/heard the song still don't know much about the Buffalo Soldiers. Therefore, in 2001, Captain Paul J. Matthews and his family took his retirement money from his civilian job and opened up the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Go there and learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers. And, then consider making a donation by buying a brick from me.
Later, check out http://www.buffalosoldier.net/.
His song "Buffalo Soldier" has been around for awhile. However, many who hear/heard the song still don't know much about the Buffalo Soldiers. Therefore, in 2001, Captain Paul J. Matthews and his family took his retirement money from his civilian job and opened up the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Go there and learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers. And, then consider making a donation by buying a brick from me.
Later, check out http://www.buffalosoldier.net/.
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