The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum will celebrate its 25th anniversary with A Soldier Soirée: Honor in Color on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at The Ballroom at Bayou Place, 500 Texas St. in Houston.

The event will bring together supporters, community leaders, veterans and friends of the museum to commemorate a quarter-century of preserving African American military history and celebrate the institution’s next chapter as it prepares to reopen following a major renovation.

Designed as an immersive experience rather than a traditional banquet, the Soirée will draw inspiration from the culture, discipline and spirit of military service. Guests can expect military-inspired décor, cocktails and spirits, desserts and programming reflecting the museum’s history and mission.

Founded by Vietnam veteran and military historian Capt. Paul J. Matthews, the museum officially opened on Jan. 5, 2001, in Houston’s Third Ward. Matthews established the institution after decades of collecting military books, artifacts and memorabilia, creating a place to document and share the contributions of African Americans in the U.S. armed forces.

The museum’s scope extends beyond the Buffalo Soldiers, the Black regiments established following the Civil War. Its collections and exhibitions explore African American military service across multiple generations, from the Revolutionary War through more recent conflicts. According to the National Park Service, the museum holds more than 4,500 items, including photographs, artwork, medals, insignia, weapons, documents and military uniforms. The museum also offers educational programming, lectures, workshops and exhibitions focused on African American military history.

The Buffalo Soldiers were among the first Black professional soldiers serving in the U.S. Army during peacetime. Following the Civil War, Congress authorized the formation of six all-Black Army units in 1866, including the 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments and four infantry regiments. Their history forms a central part of the museum’s work to preserve the experiences and contributions of Black service members.

The institution moved to its current home at 3816 Caroline St. in 2012, occupying the historic Houston Light Guard Armory. Built in 1925, the three-story building is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and a City of Houston Protected Landmark.

The museum closed to the public in July 2025 to undergo renovations to the historic structure. The work is supported by the $13 million Ready & Forward Capital Campaign, launched in 2022 to repair and improve the building, enhance exhibits and expand educational and archival capabilities. The campaign had raised $12.8 million as of spring 2026, according to the museum.

Planned improvements include enhanced accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, interactive exhibits emphasizing historical accuracy and inclusivity, space for traveling exhibitions, expanded educational programming and a growing oral history collection.

The museum is scheduled to reopen in early spring 2027. The anniversary Soirée will help support its mission and the return to full public access as the institution prepares to welcome visitors back to its renovated home.