When The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission (MSAAHCC) introduced its new strategic action plan and economic development strategy to the public this past February, it was an exciting day to say the least. To think that the future of the corridor finally looked so bright, with so many incredible urbanist features that spotlighted the historic nature of the neighborhood and its buildings…
As the whole of the project is important, so are the individual segments, which contribute to the big picture. That’s why the community’s ongoing restoration/preservation support of the Michigan Street Baptist Church and Nash House Museum is of vital importance.
On Thursday, September 29, at 5:30pm, The Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition – owners of The Michigan Street Baptist Church and The Rev. J. Edward Nash House Museum – will be hosting A Beacon of Hope Fundraiser.
The event will include music, food, drinks, construction tours of the Church and visits to the Nash House.
Together, with the Michigan Street Preservation Corporation, the hope is to raise community awareness about the vitality of the corridor, the legacy of the structures, and the chance for Michigan Avenue to, once again, become the center of the black community.
Attendees of the community celebration will get a chance to hear stories told by Emmaline Coy, one of the oldest members of the Michigan Street Baptist Church. At the Nash House, guests will also be regaled with stories about house, the street, and the neighborhood.
Both historic buildings have stood as Beacons of Hope for Buffalo’s African American Community for generations:
- The Michigan Street Baptist Church (511 Michigan Avenue) was a shelter for freedom seekers, a place of religious worship and the heart of the African American community for over 170 years
- Nash House Museum (36 Nash Street) is a historic landmark that preserves the home life of Rev Nash, the longest serving pastor of the Michigan Street Baptist Church
Be sure to mark your calendars, to make sure that you are able to participate in a momentous occasion – an occasion that will not only spark the community’s imagination, it will help to forge a path forward for projects that will forever change the face of the neighborhood.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.michiganstreetbuffalo.org/beacon-of-hope.