Prairie View A&M University John B. Coleman Library
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Captain Paul Matthews Lecture Series
significance OF THE OCCASION Today we are here to celebrate the vital role that African Americans have played in the protection, development and progress of America throughout our history. Today’s events present a tremendous opportunity to focus on and highlight the contributions of the past and present who’ve served and continue to serve in the military. We come together to learn, to be entertained and to show respect and gratitude for the Buffalo Soldiers, the 9th and 10th Cavalries and the 24th and 25th Infantries. Historically, these black soldiers helped protect the nation’s westward expansion by building roads and participating in significant military actions. They used military service as a strategy to obtain equal rights as citizens. From the Prairie View A&M University, John B Coleman Library and the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, we says thank you for your participation .
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Paul Matthews Lecture Series April 10, 2019 AGENDA 11:00 am Juvenile Justice & Psychology Don K. Clark Auditorium Posting of Colors 9TH & 10TH (Horse) Cavalry Association Greater Houston Chapter National Anthem DeJa Davis, Miss University College
Welcome Dr. Musa Olaka Director, Library Services Introduction of the Speaker PVAMU ROTC Featured Lecture and Video Captain Paul Matthews Founder, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum A Soldier’s Story, Narrative Re-enactment Wayne DeHart Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Resident Actor Closing Comments Elizabeth Jean Brumfield Distance Services Librarian
12:00 pm Battalion March 9TH & 10TH Horse Cavalry Association March from Juvenile Justice to John B. Coleman Library Reception and Exhibit Presentation John B. Coleman Library Lobby Special Thanks and Acknowledgments Trooper Steve Tatum, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Prairie View A&M University, Development Office Prairie View A&M University, Marketing and Communication John B. Coleman Library Special Events Committee Prairie View A&M University, Army ROTC Prairie View A&M University, Navy ROTC
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Captain Paul J. Matthews Founder of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Founder and Chairman of the Board, Paul J. Matthews has been researching military history and collecting military artifacts and memorabilia for over 30 years prior to his founding of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. This is the only museum in the United States that chronicles the entire African American military experience from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War. The primary objectives of the museum are to preserve, promote and perpetuate the honor and legacy of the brave men and women who fought, bled and died in defense of America. Currently, more than 60% of the museum’s collection and exhibits have been donated from his private collection. As a 25-year member of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association, Matthews is a former president of the Greater Houston Chapter and historian and public relations officer for the national association. Matthews received a B.S. in biology from Prairie View A & M University. He served two years active duty and four years reserve duty in the United States Army, wherein he received a Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and a Combat Medical Badge in the Republic of Vietnam. Prior to founding the museum, Matthews worked for 30 years as a Hospital Representative, Executive Business Manager and Director of Military Affairs for Merck & Co., Inc., managing the military division that yielded over $800 million in annual revenue. Matthews is married with one son and two grandsons.
Recent Achievements · Recipient of 2003 Congressional Black Caucus Veterans’ Braintrust Award for community service · Chairman of the 137th Anniversary Reunion of the Buffalo Soldiers 2003 · Established the Veteran’s Oral History Initiative (collaboration with TSU and UH and the LOC · Primary mentor and instructor for the University of Houston American Humanics certification Internship program at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum · Recipient of 2005 Houston Rockets Clutch Champion Award · Recipient of 2005 NAACP Community Service Award · Recipient of 2005 American Legacy Magazine Museum Preservation Award · Recipient of 2006 National Education Association’s Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award · Recipient of 2008 YMCA Houston Minority Achievers Award · Recipient of 2008 National Women of Achievement Shinning Star Award · Recipient of 2008 Top Ladies of Distinction Achievement Award · Recipient of 2008 Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge George Washington Honor Medal · Recipient of 2009 Houston Frontiers Club 21st Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award · Recipient of 2010 Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame, Multicultural Museum, Fort Worth, Texas · Recipient of 2011 Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Preserving Our Heritage Award · Recipient of 2012 Houston Press Mastermind Award · District Chairman (2013) W. L. Davis District Boy Scouts of America · Recipient of 2015 Daughters of the American Revolution Distinguished Citizen Award · Chairman of 150th Anniversary Reunion of the Buffalo Soldiers 2016 · Recipient of 2015 Prairie View Interscholastic League Meritorious Achievement Award Related Awards & Associations · Commissioned 2LT Medical Service Corp., U.S. Army 1968 · Promoted: Captain, Medical Service Corp., U.S. Army 1974 · Life Member: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Prairie View A&M University Alumni Association, Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, and 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association · Board Member of 100 Black Men of America Houston Chapter (2004/2005) . Board Member and Grants Committee Chair of Houston Arts Alliance (2008-2012) 4
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Trooper Wayne DeHart Resident Re-enactment Actor Trooper Wayne DeHart has been a mainstay in the Houston Theatre scene for more than twenty-five (25) years. Mr. DeHart’s career spans more than a hundred stage productions, many at The Ensemble Theatre. He has appeared in such films as RoboCop 2, A Perfect World and Looper and such television programs as Walker, Texas Ranger, Prison Break and Breaking Bad (episode Blood Money). DeHart’s credit include: Johnny B. Goode, A Soldier’s Story (Play), Shorteyes, The Birds, Jitney, Radio Golf. Awarded the Houston Press: Best of Houston (Best Actor Award): For his performance in Jitney
Film and television credits include: Jason’s Lyric , I Come in Peace, A Perfect World, Robo Cop, Once, When We Were Colored, The Stars That Fell on Henrietta, The Apostle, Rich in Love, The Long Shots, A Time to Kill, Rose’s, Looper, Prison Break [TV Series].
″A Soldier’s Story″, is a reenactment on the life and time of the Buffalo al aids.
soldiers, spoken through words and visu-
Wayne was at the forefront of establishing the first African-American produced Comedy Club in Houston, ″I Was Not Able To Serve″, however, through his portrayal in this production, Wayne feels that it is his duty, honor, privilege and obligation to continue the stories and the spirit of the ″BUFFALO SOLDIERS″. READY AND FORWARD! It’s a pleasure to serve!
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Exhibit (Select items on loan from April 10-May 17, 2019) The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum seeks to enhance its collections by adding artifacts, archival documents and books that are appropriate to the Museum’s mission. BSNM will acquire and preserve materials that will promote a deeper knowledge and understanding of African American Military History. The items on display at the John B. Coleman Library include artifacts used by soldiers from the Civil War, World War II and other occupations. Please refer to the exhibit items on pages 6-9. Exhibit Items Details (see items beginning on page 6, some items listed are not included in the showcases) 1. German P 38 The Walther P38 is a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that was developed by Carl Walther as the service pistol of the Wehrmacht at the beginning of World War II. It was intended to replace the costly Luger P08, the production of which was scheduled to end in 1942. 2. Barometer Bronze, combination barometer and compass (compass on one side and barometer on the other side). Diameter = 2 5/8 inches, Height = 1 ¼ inches, Inscription on perimeter reads Chas Bentzoni, U.S. Army 1884 Barometer carrying case: leather, green velvet lining (bottom) and green satin lining (top), interior inscription reads Hazebroucq 23. Rue De La Paix, Paris, exterior inscription reads CHAS BENTZONI U.S. ARMY 1884. Charles Bentzoni was born in Danzig, Prussia. He served with the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War and the Buffalo Soldiers during the Indian Wars. Captain Bentzoni served with the 25th U.S. Infantry Regiment until December 4, 1891. He retired from the Army on October 11, 1894.
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Exhibit Items
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Exhibit Items
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Exhibit Items Details (continued): 3. Doris Heath Military records for Doris Heath who served in the U.S. Army during WW 2. She was a Lieutenant in the U.S Army Nurse Corps. Though their numbers were small in comparison to the 60,000 white nurses, the less than 600 black nurses served in the Army Nurse Corps. Army nurses were largely restricted to serving only in hospitals and aid stations occupied by black military men, a demand for medical care brought black nurses to England, Burma, Africa, and such faraway places such as Liberia and Australia, and other locations in the Pacific. 4. Civil War Currency: Before the Civil War, the only money issued by the United States was gold and silver coins, and only such coins ("specie") were legal tender; that is, payment in that form had to be accepted. Paper currency in the form of banknotes was issued by privately owned banks; the notes being redeemable for specie at the bank's office. They were not legal tender. Such notes had value only if the bank could be counted on to redeem them. If a bank failed, its notes became worthless. One Dollar Merchants Bank of New York Bank One Dollar Bank of DeSoto, Nebraska Two Dollars Sanford Bank One Dollar Bank of Quincy, Illinois One Dollar Bank of Montgomery County, PA One Dollar and Fifty Cents Farmers and Merchant
5. A “soldier’s housewife” sewing kit made of brown cloth with floral design. The name “soldier’s housewife” indicates that while sewing was normally done by women in the home, soldiers needed to be able do it for themselves in the field. The kit was used during the Civil War and Indian War. The kit has two interior pockets to store buttons, safety pins, etc. The center section has small pieces of cloth for additional sewing needles. 6. Cavalry Tactics Handbook This manual covered the employment of cavalry in battle and was used by both Union and Confederate armies. It included the manual of arms for sword and pistol, cavalry on the frontier and music for all 38 cavalry bugle calls. 7. Soldier’s Handbook The Soldier’s Handbook was carried by soldiers during the Civil War. The handbook consists of a shortened combined Morning and Evening Prayer service, the Litany, a few prayers, the Collects associated with Holy Communion, anteCommunion, Selections of Psalms from the Book of Common Prayer, some hymns, and the burial service.
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8. Soldier’s Comb: This wooden comb was used during the Civil War era. The dimensions are 2” X 7” with 1’ Teeth. 9. Wooden Mirror: This wooden mirror was used during the Civil War. 10. Wooden Lice Comb: This wooden comb was used during the Civil War. 11. Civil War era Shaving Bowl with Shaving brush and soap 12. Indian Scouts Insignia for United States Scouts: Recruitment of Indian scouts was first authorized on J uly 28, 1866 by an act of Congress. The president was authorized to enlist in the territories and Indian country a force of Indians not to exceed one thousand to act as scouts. 13. Emblem worn on an enlisted soldier’s Hardee Hat. The Hardee hat, also known as the Model 1858 Dress Hat and sometimes nicknamed the "Jeff Davis", was the regulation dress hat for enlisted men in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Hardee Hat was also worn by Confederate soldiers. 14. 8290 Enlisted Soldier’s hat device: Enlisted Cavalry Hat Insignia is made of brass and has a wire back for attachment to hat.
15. 8228 Chaplain’s Corp Hat Device with Chaplain’s Wreath: This officer hat device features gold embroidery on a black velvet field. 16. 8229 Cavalry Patch: This officer hat device features gold embroidery on a black velvet field.
17. 8236 28th Infantry Regiment Hat Device: This officer’s insignia is specific to the 28th U.S. Infantry Regiment. 18. 8238 Army Engineer Hat Insignia: This officer hat device features gold embroidery on a black velvet field. 19. 8245 Belt Buckle Baldric: Stamped sheet brass, lead filled. Three prongs are embedded into the lead to facilitate fastening the plate on to the NCO Baldric strap. The plate is worn in the center of the chest. 20. 8255 Oval U.S. Army Belt Buckle: This U.S. Oval Lead Filled Belt Plate was standard, mid -war issue for Union soldiers. The one-piece oval belt plate is lead filled stamped sheet brass with brass hooks on the back embedded in the lead. 21. 8262 Rectangular U.S. Army Belt Buckle: This is part of a two-piece solid cast brass buckle from the 1870s. 22. 8269 Brest Harness: Stamped brass Federal Eagle Martingale Heart
23. 8277 Horse Bridle Rosette: A bridle rosette is a utilitarian accessory used on the harness of a horse. They are used in pairs to help position a bridle correctly on the animal’s head. Comprised of a round or oval top approximately 2 inches across with a square-cornered “D-ring” metal loop back, one rosette is slipped onto each end of the browband (the strap going across the horse’s forehead) and then pushed back against the cheek straps, tightening the browband against the cheek pieces of the bridle to prevent slipping. 24. 8295 U.S. Army Emblem 25. 8298 U.S. Mess Plate with combination knife, fork and spoon 26. 8332 Souvenir photo album from WW 2 27. 8342 Clip 28. 8346 Original New York Herald Newspaper from 1877 discussing the graduation of LT Henry O. Flipper. LT Flipper was the first African American graduate from the U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point. 29. 8404 Article on Vincent Brooks when he was a cadet at West Point. He’s retired in 2018 as a 4 Star General. At West Point, Brooks was the academy's first African-American Cadet First Captain, the highest position (Cadet Brigade Commander) a cadet can hold, an appointment that brought much public visibility at an early age in life.
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John B. Coleman Library archives The John B. Coleman Library Special Collections and Archives Department, staffed by librarians Phyllis Earles and Lisa Stafford, maintains a collection of photographs, documents and memorabilia related to the experiences of Prairie View faculty, staff, and students who served in the military or performed duties related to the military effort.
The library archives documents collected over the years that validate the impact of the African American presence in the United States military. Prairie View A&M University has a long and proud tradition of military instruction dating back to 1943. The government, during WWII, established an army training camp at Prairie View for the better training of the African American soldier. After which, the government established a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) unit, which is still maintained under the direction of the War Department “(The Prairie, 1926, p. 24). Prairie View A&M is the only Historically Black College and University in the entire state of Texas that hosts an Army ROTC program. Prairie View A&M University graduates proudly serve all over the world as Navy and Marine Corps Officers and Army Officers.
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Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It gives you the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your college tuition
The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps is a long-standing program through which the Navy and Marine Corps can commission officers in addition to the Naval Academy's graduates. Midshipmen in the program complete basic physical, mental, and professional training to prepare them for their future careers.
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the Buffalo SoldierS National Museum The Mission of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM) is to educate the public and preserve, promote and perpetuate the history, tradition and outstanding contributions of America’s Buffalo Soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the present. BSNM achieves its mission through its educational programs, historic research, the arts, the environment, school tour performing arts, teacher workshops, youth outreach programs, school appearances and exhibits
The museum creates and disseminates knowledge about the history of the buffalo soldiers and their service in the defense and development of America. . The vision of BSNM is to extend public knowledge of achievements of all of America’s African American armed forces personnel to the full general public, thus building pride and patriotism throughout all of America’s communities, with particular emphasis on youth.
Motto Ready & Forward; We Can, We Will!
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National Anthem (First Verse) Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Philanthropic gifts from alumni, friends, and institutional partners enable Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) to attract and retain excellent faculty, recruit and support the brightest students, and to enhance programs and departments that promise to make significant contributions to our communities and to society as a whole. Thank you for your interest in and support of PVAMU. Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Please scan the QR code or go to the website to complete a satisfaction survey . https://tinyurl.com/y6ngc5g3
Photographs courtesy The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and Prairie View A&M University Content edited by Elizabeth Jean Brumfield and Paul Matthews Copyright© 2019 All rights reserved. Request permission for reprints.
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