Austin, TX - The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized Houston’s Buffalo Soldiers National Museum as the 2025 recipient of the John L. Nau, III Award of Excellence in Museums.
The award acknowledges the impact and role an individual or institution associated with a history museum plays in connecting communities, teaching Texans about history and improving the economic landscape of the communities that host them. It is one of 10 annual THC Preservation Awards recognizing individuals and organizations involved in various aspects of historic preservation.
The Buffalo Soldier Museum, located in the Midtown area of Houston, has preserved and interpreted African American military history and the experience of those who served. It will continue to provide a community meeting place once much-needed renovations are completed this summer. Museum staff currently offer off-site exhibits and digital programming through community collaborations.
The “Ready and Forward” capital campaign is one of the museum’s current campaigns, aiming to repair and renovate the museum’s historic facility, expand and improve its exhibits and programs, and ensure its long-term sustainability. Specifically, it will renovate the current armory, expand accessibility, launch a STEAM learning lab, and fund a long-term endowment.
The Board of Directors and Advisory Board represents Houston’s business and academic sectors, demonstrating broad community support and connection. Community and educational programming included a three-day Juneteenth event last year, with exhibits, a living history encampment, and an important collaboration with Combined Arms Veteran Services.
The museum’s robust K-12 school programming served 53 local schools during the 2024–25 school year, includes onsite field trips, outdoor youth programming, and a teacher educator symposium. While it is temporarily closed for renovations, the museum updates the community through its website, newsletter, and social media.
About Preservation Awards
The THC Preservation Awards recognize and honor those who have committed themselves to saving the real places and real stories of Texas. The awards celebrate their accomplishments and exemplary leadership in the preservation of Texas’ heritage.
The awards will be presented at the THC’s Real Places 2026 conference, April 8-10, in Austin and online. Presented by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with Phoenix 1 Restoration and Construction, LLC, Real Places is the premier historic preservation and heritage tourism event in the Lone Star State. It offers world-class sessions, workshops, tours, special events, entertainment, and networking activities, while bringing together many different audiences under the banners of history, heritage, and preservation.
About the Texas Historical Commission
The THC manages 42 state historic sites, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, Texas Main Street Program, and many more heritage tourism and historic preservation initiatives across the state. For more information, visit thc.texas.gov.