San Angelo has been celebrating Black History Month all February. Here’s an event from Fort Concho honoring the Buffalo Soldiers.
Black History Month is annually observed every February honoring contributions of Black individuals, the culture and more.
Fort Concho National Historic Landmark will celebrate the Buffalo Soldiers for a Black History Month program from 2-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The free program will be held at the fort’s Commissary Building near Flipper and Burgess Streets.
A noted military historian, Dr. John Langellier of Tucson, Arizona, will speak on “The Buffalo Soldier Regiments and Their Music,” covering the legacy of the black troops musical achievements from 1866-1900.
“An author of several books on the Buffalo Soldiers, Dr. Langellier will speak on the often unknown role the black troops and their regimental bands had in building positive relationships between the troops and their nearby civilian communities,” Robert F. Bluthardt, Fort Concho site manager said.
Fort Concho served as the headquarters of the famed 10th Cavalry Regiment of black troops. Their regimental band entertained San Angelo patrons during their stay between 1875 and 1882.
“The regimental commander, Benjamin Grierson, gave the band extra attention and support as he was a musician in civilian life before joining the army,” Bluthardt said.
After the program, a shuttle cart will take guests to Barracks 1 to a special exhibit covering the history of regimental bands featuring the musical instrument collection of Tom Railsback of Great Falls, Montana.
A noted collector and musician, Railsback collaborated with Langellier on a book, “The Drums Would Roll,” a history of military bands in the late 1800s.
“Tom and his family donated his extensive collection of instruments and research files to Fort Concho in 2025,” Bluthardt said.
There will also be a special display on the history of the Standard-Times, a Buffalo Soldier exhibit and a display covering the Comanches of Texas in Barracks 1.
Guests are also welcome to visit the West Texas Buffalo Soldier Memorial across the street from the fort.
For more information, call Fort Concho at 325-481-2646.
More Black History Month events from the NAACP
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Fort Concho celebrates Black History Month, honoring Buffalo Soldiers
Reporting by Rosanna Fraire, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
