General Guide to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston was founded in 2000 by Paul J. Matthews, a prominent African-American military historian, who was also a veteran of the Vietnam War. The museum is located in Houston's historic 3^rd ward and is a short distance of a few blocks to the Houston Museum District; which is centrally located in downtown Houston. The museum's building and architecture are of a similar design in use by many educational institutions. At first glance you could almost picture this museum on the campus of any college or university. Once inside though, that image quickly vanishes.

The main goals and mission of the museum are dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Buffalo Soldier, and the role of African-Americans in times of war throughout American history. This history includes an act of Congress in 1866, which created six African American Army units; these units were the 9^th and 10^th Cavalry; along with the 38^th, 39^th, 40^th, and 41^st Infantry regimental units, which later reformed into the 24^th and 25^th Infantry units. These were the first African American professional soldiers serving in a peacetime army. The recruits that came to form these units consisted of former slaves and veterans of Civil War service.

The Buffalo Soldiers Museum houses multiple displays and many fascinating exhibits. Among these exhibits, documenting the difficult life of African American soldiers throughout their history, are interviews with Troopers Galvan, Brown, Joseph, and Powell; the men who became the last surviving Buffalo soldiers of World War II.

One of the many interesting facts about the museum is that in its first year of operation, the facility saw 20,000 visitors pass through it's doors. On March 2, 2001, the museum was presented with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for its contribution to Houston and the Houston community. On November 31 of that same year, the Houston mayor proclaimed Buffalo Soldiers Day.

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is open every day except Sunday beginning at 10am. Weekdays the museum closes at 5pm with Saturday closing time set at 4pm. The museum is located at 1834 Southmore Blvd., Houston Texas. To call the museum for information you would dial (713)942-8920. If you wish to visit the website of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to learn more, just simply go to www.buffalosoldiersmuseum.com. There you will find information about the exhibits and ongoing displays at the museum as well as other needed information and directions.