From John Powell, who helped organize the trip in coordination with Student Life:
The trip to the Buffalo Soldiers Museum on February 8th, went very well. We had 12 students attending the trip, they were very excited to learn about the museum. When we arrived we viewed a film about the background history and achievements of the Buffalo Soldiers. Mention was made of their contributions during the Civil War, Westward Expansion, World Wars I & II, up to the Persian Gulf. After the film, Melissa Waddy-Thibodeaux entered the room singing and performed as Harriett Tubman. They students later confessed that they were touched emotionally, by her performance, and they learned that there was an entire network of people from all walks of life, colors, and backgrounds who helped in the Underground Railroad. Harriett made them promise to help both old and young to read, and to serve them going forward. Sarah also reminded them of their promise later, when she told them that she would be asking for their help later on in the semester, to conduct outreach and service in facilities that cater to the young as well as the old.
After Melissa’s performance, our guide then started the tour of the museum. He was very well informed , took many questions, and also used his sense of humor to bring out the background of some of the events and artifacts on display. He described the early toaster, hair combs and curlers, flat iron, and other artifacts as examples of early technology. He also pointed out the role of the Chaplain in the Armed Services, and how it evolved from the need directly during and after Slavery to teach recruits how to read, in order to better function in the Army. He also introduced the students to the historical events concerning the dismantling of Camp Logan, formerly located in Herman Memorial Park, including the largest Court Martial trial in the history of the Armed Services. The students expressed amazement that they had never heard of the event, as well as many of the other history that they had seen that day. They spoke of the need to find out more and share what they had learned. We encouraged them to do that.
After we left the museum, we went to lunch at This Is It, a Soul Food restaurant nearby. The students really liked the menu and enjoyed the food. All in all, I would say that it was a very successful trip and that we should strive to make it a Black History Month tradition!