Buffalo Soldiers

THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS MUSEUM WILL ENGAGE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING TO ADVANCE COLLECTIONS STEWARDSHIP AND ACCESS FOR PRESERVATION OF THE ART, HISTORY AND CULTURE REPRESENTED IN MUSEUM. THE PROJECT SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF A HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACCESS COORDINATOR FOR THE MUSEUM TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION, WASHINGTON STATE TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, WASHINGTON STATE HERITAGE CAUCUS, THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND INDUSTRY, AND HISTORIC SEATTLE. THE NEW STAFF POSITIONS WILL FACILITATE THE COMPLETION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS MUSEUM AND THE HISTORIC FORT LAWTON LANDMARK DISTRICT AND MANAGE THE COMPLIANCE OF ALL STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE RELOCATION TO AND RENOVATION OF THE HISTORICAL SITE. THE NEW LOCATION WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO MEMORABILIA AND ENHANCE THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE IN THE FIVE THEMED ROOMS.

THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PLAN FOR PRESERVING THE INTERIOR OF THE HISTORIC FORT LAWTON THE 25TH INFANTRY BAND BUILDING, AS THE NEW LOCATION FOR THE MUSEUM. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WASHINGTON STATE TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, WASHINGTON STATE HERITAGE CAUCUS, THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND INDUSTRY (MOHAI), HISTORIC SEATTLE, SEATTLE'S PARKS FOUNDATION, AND SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION, THE MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PLAN FOR THE INTERIOR AND WILL DETAIL THE STRUCTURAL NEEDS FOR FUTURE MUSEUM LOCATION. THE PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING THE INTERIOR'S ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PLAN ALONG WITH DETAILED RENOVATION SPECIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS.

THE 9TH AND 10TH HORSE CAVALRY BUFFALO SOLDIERS MUSEUM WILL DESIGN AND INSTALL FIVE LEARNING STATIONS TO ENHANCE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICA’S BUFFALO SOLDIERS FROM 1866 TO 1944. A NEWLY HIRED PRESERVATION AND MUSEUM SPECIALIST WILL WORK WITH THE U.S. ARMY CENTER FOR MILITARY HISTORY AND HISTORIANS AT JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD IN WASHINGTON STATE TO COMPILE RESEARCH, CONSULT WITH TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH LEARNING STANDARDS, AND COORDINATE THE DESIGN, BUILD, AND TESTING OF THE STATIONS. THE LEARNING STATIONS WILL PROVIDE VISITORS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE MODERN EDUCATIONAL TOOLS AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE CONCEPTS OF AMERICAN HISTORY, SERVICE TO COUNTRY, CITIZENSHIP, AND OTHER RELEVANT TOPICS.

THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS MUSEUM WILL COLLABORATE WITH THE LEWIS ARMY MUSEUM AND SCHOOLS OUT WASHINGTON, A LOCAL ORGANIZATION PROVIDING GUIDANCE FOR NON-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING, TO DESIGN A SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM SUITABLE FOR A BROAD RANGE OF GRADES AND AGES. THE MUSEUM WILL HIRE AN EDUCATION PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST TO DEVELOP A PILOT MUSEUM-BASED PROGRAM TO TEACH STUDENTS THE CONTRIBUTIONS, STRUGGLES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS, NAMELY THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS, AND OTHER DIVERSE POPULATIONS TO OUR NATION'S MILITARY, SECURITY, CULTURE AND SOCIAL FABRIC. THE FOUR-HOUR SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM MODULE WILL INCLUDE LECTURE GUIDES, CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISES, VIDEOS, PUZZLES AND GAMES, ART PROJECTS, DRAMATIC PLAY, AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, METRO PARKS, UNITED WAY, AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND IS INTENDED TO HELP LESSEN SUMMER LEARNING LOSS.