The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Phyllis Camesano

As the City of Buffalo begins to define and formalize its unique African American history and cultural contributions, Buffalo State College History and Social Studies Education Department faculty members Felix L. Armfield and Edward. O. Smith Jr. are engaged in that important initiative.

Armfield and Smith are voting members of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission, which was established by the governor in 2007 to develop a plan for preserving and promoting East Side landmarks and history, some of which date back to slavery. Armfield was recently elected secretary of the commission. Currently, the corridor is defined as the vicinity of Broadway, Elm, Eagle, Pine, and Nash streets in downtown Buffalo, and includes the J. Edward Nash House, the Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Colored Musicians Club, and most recently, the Durham Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.

“Buffalo’s African American history still remains to be thoroughly investigated and formally recognized,” said Armfield, professor of history and social studies education, who has an avid interest in African American heritage. “The college has always made a conscious effort to be stewards of that history. Our participation in this initiative advances that longstanding commitment.”

Through the college’s art conservation program, the Monroe Fordham Regional History Center, and the efforts of Howard, Armfield and Smith, Buffalo State has played a pivotal role in the preservation and sharing of Michigan Street buildings and history.

At its first meeting in December, the commission began to build the foundation for moving forward. The group was updated on a recently amended urban renewal plan, which expanded the boundaries of the corridor to include the Durham Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. The addition of the historic church was brought about at the urging of President Muriel A. Howard and George K. Arthur, ’89, former Common Council president and a member of the commission.

Plans for involving longstanding business owners in the corridor and next steps for creating a 501(c)(3) were also developed at the meeting. The commission convenes again on March 9 at 1:00 p.m. at the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue. All are welcome.

The initial $75,000 in state funds for the commission was secured by New York State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples, ’74, ’02. In addition to Armfield, Arthur, and Smith, voting members are Willow R. Brost, commission chair Karen Stanley Fleming, Keith P. Griffler, John A. Johnson, Bishop Clarence W. Montgomery Jr., George Scott, Lillian S. Williams, and Howard A. Zemsky, vice chair of the Buffalo State College Council.