Fund the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail Project

Team fundraiser

Robert Burch and Ramesus Stewart-Johnson are organizing this fundraiser to benefit Sema Hadithi African-American Heritage and Culture Foundation.

Tax deductible

On Monday, July 29, 2024, Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation, in the Saltair conference room of the University of Utah, brought together project team members and stakeholders to report the efforts of federal, state, and local partners to create the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail. They announced a historic project commemorating formerly enslaved and sons of formerly enslaved people serving America as members of the United States Army who served in Utah.

Cover photo: Image of the 9th Cavalry of Buffalo Soldier in Strawberry during the 'Tin War' exercise that would change the way the U.S. Army trained and deployed men on the battlefield. The 9th constructed Fort Duchesne in the Uintah Basin of Utah.

Stakeholders out in Strawberry surveying the 'Tin War' site.

Project development: Where did we start?

This project started several years ago when Alice Burch of Sema Hadithi asked the State Historical Preservation Officer about archaeological evidence of Buffalo Soldiers in Utah. This conversation would occur several times over several years. As more evidence was discovered by the state archaeologist, the idea of that trail developed.

Utah Cultural Site Stewardship (UCSS) and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) presented this idea of the heritage trail to board members of Sema Hadithi, Robert Burch, Alice Burch, and Kirk Huffaker. On Friday, November 3, 2023, Robert and Kirk joined the UCSS/SHPO team, Chris Merritt, Ian Wright, and Lexi Little, in Strawberry Valley at the site of the historic Tin War of the United States Army. During the visit, Sema Hadithi, UCSS, and SHPO formalized the project idea, which the three organizations forming the project leads.

The last stop of the day in Fort Duchesne.

Project development: Where we are now

With the project leads established, UCSS worked to gain the commitment of stakeholders from federal agencies, state agencies, and local history societies and museums. These stakeholders, who each provided previously unknown historical and geographical information, established the locations for trail interpretation. The locations will include Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, The Strawberry Valley, Fort Duchesne, Vernal, Gate Canyon, Nine Mile Canyon, Price, and Helper.

As the width and breadth of the information shared by the stakeholders increase, the depth of the story about the Black soldiers serving in Utah continues to expand. Because of the expansiveness of the project, the date of the establishment of the heritage trail has yet to be determined. The projected establishment date is sometime in the next 12 to 18 months.

As the partners work together to establish the physical elements of this historical heritage trail, Sema Hadithi will create the educational material and infrastructure to support the effort to share the stories of Utah's Buffalo Soldiers with children of all ages, adults, libraries, museums, community centers, colleges and universities in Utah. We need your help to sustain the effort to commemorate these patriotic Americans.

We hope you will help us today!

Map of the locations along the interpretive trail.

Your generous donations to our GoFundMe campaign will play a pivotal role in supporting the Utah Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail, an initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the Buffalo Soldiers in Utah. These funds will be used to create a wide range of educational materials designed to engage and inspire learners of all ages.

Cost Breakdown:

Graphic Novels: $15,000

Creation of engaging and informative graphic novels to bring the stories of the Buffalo Soldiers to life for young readers. This includes writing, illustrating, printing, and distribution.

Activity Books and Coloring Books: $5,000

Develop and produce interactive activity books and coloring books to make learning about history fun for children. This covers design, printing, and distribution costs.

Learning Games: $3,500

Design and production of educational games that provide immersive learning experiences about the Buffalo Soldiers, including game design, manufacturing, and distribution.

Trail Tours: $8,500

Guided tours of the heritage trail, including materials, equipment, and training needed to provide visitors with an informative and engaging experience.

Handouts and Take-Along Guides: $,5000

Informative handouts and portable guides will be created to enhance visitors' experiences on the trail. This includes design, printing, and distribution.

Administrative Costs: $13,000

This covers research, production, and organization of educational events and workshops to ensure the project's smooth operation. It also includes staff salaries, office supplies, and other necessary administrative expenses.

By donating, you help us preserve and honor the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, ensuring their stories are told and remembered for generations to come. Join us in this important journey by contributing today.

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