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Nash House Museum to Formally Open May 1

White doves to be released at opening to commemorate teachings of Reverend and Mrs. Nash

BUFFALO, NY -- Michigan Street Historic Preservation Corporation (“Michigan Street”) will formally open its Nash House Museum on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 11:00 AM. The Nash House Museum is located at 36 Nash Street in Buffalo, New York.

The Nash House Museum was the home of Reverend and Mrs. Nash. Reverend Nash was the Minister of the Michigan Street Baptist Church from 1892 to 1953. During that period, he was the leading spokesperson for the African American community in Buffalo. Reverend Nash was born in 1868 in Virginia to a former slave family. He moved to Buffalo in 1892 to become the Minister of the Michigan Street Baptist Church. He was instrumental in founding the local chapter of the NAACP and the local branch of the Urban League in Buffalo. In 1954, Reverend Nash was presented with the Brotherhood Award in human relations by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

The Nash House Museum contains the collection of artifacts and papers of Reverend and Mrs. Nash. The collection includes 53 years of Reverend Nash’s sermons and a collection of local publications and programs, books and letters. The correspondence includes that of such historic figures as Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass and Adam Clayton Powell.

George Arthur, President of Michigan Street Historic Preservation Corporation, noted that doves will be released at the opening ceremony and stated that “The release of the six doves signifies that Reverend Nash’s home is again open for people to come and visit and enjoy. The welcome mat is out for everyone.”

Michigan Street Historic Preservation Corporation was organized in 1996 to protect, preserve and make available to the public the African American historic district of Buffalo, New York. In addition to the Nash House Museum, this historic district includes the Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Colored Musicians Club and the site of the former home of Mary B. Talbert.

Reverend Nash’s son, Jesse Nash, commented that “This has been just too much for me to understand, except to say that I hope that my father and mother’s teaching will live a long time.”

The Nash House Museum will be open to the public during hours to be determined.

Speakers for tomorrow’s event include members of the Nash Family, the Honorable Mayor Byron Brown, former Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello, Honorable Crystal Peoples, Dr. Felix Armsfield, Urban League of Buffalo President Brenda McDuffie, Buffalo State President Muriel Howard, Kavinoky Cook Partner Jonathan Gardner, George K. Arthur, representative from BCBS of Western New York and others.