For nearly 20 years, men, women and children from around the world have witnessed first-hand the magnitude of Captain Paul J. Matthews' commitment, concern, integrity and humanity. Matthews, a U.S. Army veteran, historian, author, former pharmaceutical company executive and longtime community leader and volunteer, took a giant leap of faith and founded the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston on January 5, 2001.

Since that time more than 500,000 local, national and international visitors have walked through the doors of the museum, one of the top five tourist attractions in America's fourth largest city. The museum is the first of its kind in the world with the largest private collection of African-American military memorabilia anywhere in the world.

"Captain Matthews is to be commended for the creation of the first and only national repository to honor the valor and sacrifices of African American soldiers who answered America's military call, always fighting for the right to fight," says Major Charles Williams, president of the Greater Houston Chapter, 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Association.

The BSNM has become the center of the Buffalo Soldier intellectual universe through one-of-a-kind exhibits, lectures from military experts, and serving as national association headquarters and a valuable source of information on the African American military experience.

The museum is located in the Houston Museum District, one of the top cultural districts in the country with more than 7 million annual visits. In addition to preserving the legacy of brave Buffalo Soldiers and chronicling the African American military experience, the museum fosters understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture.

Matthews has collected military artifacts for 40 years and 50 percent of the museum's collection and exhibits have been donated from his private collection.

Exhibits cover seven wars, along with women in the military, chaplains in the military and astronauts. The museum details the history of men and women who overcame extreme adversity while gallantly serving their country, from Crispus Attucks to Gen. Colin Powell.