35th anniversary event Sept. 24 at black-heritage museum in Westside Center
A replica of a Buffalo Soldiers' uniform
(foreground) is displayed in the museum of the African-American and
Genealogical Society of Colorado Springs, located in the Westside Community
Center. In the background at right are some of the museum's 200 books about
black history, and at left a quilt featuring prominent black individuals. The
uniform was provided by Andrew Bell, a Buffalo Soldiers reenactor who is
scheduled to be on hand Sept. 24 for the 35-year anniversary of the Negro
Historical Association of Colorado Springs.
Westside Pioneer photo
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Its mission remains alive with a museum preserving black heritage at the Westside Community Center, operated by the nonprofit African-American and Genealogical Society of Colorado Springs.
The anniversary of that 35-year span will be celebrated at the museum Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free (although donations are requested), and the public is welcome.
The Community Center is at 1628 W. Bijou St. The museum is in the middle building, on the first floor.
According to society founder and museum curator Candice McKnight, the event will include Andrew Bell of the local Buffalo Soldiers reenactment group, retired Colorado Springs Police Commander Fletcher Howard and World War II Tuskegee Airman Randolph Edwards. Update, 9/21/16: Commander Howard had a schedule conflilct and can't make it, McKnight said.
McKnight started the Genealogical Society in 2000, then merged with the Historical Association in 2005. She relocated the museum to the Westside Community Center in 2010.
Normal museum hours are Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 217-2647.
Westside Pioneer article
(Posted 9/15/16, updated 9/21/16;
Community:
Westside Community Center)
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