The Museum has a new exhibition exploring the history and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, Black soldiers who served in the United States Army following the Civil War. Stop by Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm throughout August to check it out! Through historical photographs, interpretive panels, and compelling stories of service, resilience, and achievement, the exhibition invites visitors to learn about a chapter of American history that is often overlooked.

Established by Congress in 1866, the Buffalo Soldier regiments were among the first peacetime all-Black units in the U.S. Army. Despite facing discrimination and segregation, these soldiers served with distinction across the American West, participating in military campaigns, protecting transportation routes, and contributing to the development of national parks and public lands. Their story is inseparable from the broader history of the American frontier and the landscapes that continue to shape life in the West today.

The new exhibition examines both the accomplishments of Buffalo Soldier history and the local connection. The 9th U.S. Cavalry mapped and patrolled the Utah-Colorado border in the late 19th century. Operating out of Fort Garland, Colorado, and Fort Duchesne, Utah, they extensively surveyed the rugged landscapes of the Uintah Basin, Abajo Mountains, and the Book Cliffs.

This exhibit, curated by the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation, is the third of our four-exhibit series in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.

The history of the Buffalo Soldiers is one of resilience, achievement, and lasting contribution to the United States. Beginning shortly after the Civil War, the story of the Buffalo Soldiers follows the country’s westward expansion; the struggle for racial equality; relationships and conflicts with Native Americans and non-native settlers; and perseverance. The Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail links together all the unique pieces of this story and connects it to the places where it all happened.

Moab has a distinct and local connection to the Buffalo Soldiers via the 9th Cavalry. The 9th Cavalry’s first expedition into Utah Territory took place in the fall of 1878, when Troop K, led by 2nd Lieutenant Ballard S. Humphrey, departed from Animas City, Colorado. They entered Utah south of Moab, traveled along the Old Spanish Trail through Spanish Valley, moved north to the southern base of the Book Cliffs, and then returned east to Fort Garland, Colorado.

During their 12-week patrol, the 9th Cavalry scouted for Ute Tribal members in and around the Abajo Mountains while extensively exploring eastern Utah. Their route was recorded in remarkable detail, documenting campsites, geographical landmarks, and even man-made structures along the way. Notable locations included Kane Springs, a critical water source along the Old Spanish Trail, and the “Old Mormon Fort” at Elk Mountain Mission in present-day Moab.

About Sema Hadithi:
Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation strives to “tell the story” of African-ancestored history, heritage, and culture by researching, preserving and disseminating information throughout the community. By sharing the story of African ancestral families, we help to tell the whole story of Utah.

This exhibition comes as the third installation in the Museum’s Semiquincentennial commemoration as part of the broader exhibition series “Voices of the Plateau.” This special series will highlight the diverse stories of the Colorado Plateau region, offering artists, Tribal communities, local organizations, and residents—past and present—an opportunity to share their experiences of identity, culture, and home. Throughout the year, the Museum will serve as a platform to elevate these voices, with art as the central medium for expression and reflection.

The Moab Museum invites residents and visitors alike to join in exploring this remarkable chapter of American history. Through the stories of the Buffalo Soldiers, visitors will gain insight into the challenges these soldiers faced, the contributions they made, and the enduring legacy they left across the nation and throughout the West.

About the Semiquincentennial:
The Semiquincentennial is a chance for everyone to feel a part of this major milestone in our nation. We can celebrate courage, liberty, and sacrifice, while also reckoning with difficult truths. By fostering a sense of belonging and coming together with our local communities, we can ensure that Utahns of all ages and backgrounds see themselves in American history.

Next up: How Did We Get Here: Stories of Migration and Home Community Exhibition: October 22nd, 2026.
For more information about exhibition hours, related programs, and upcoming events, visit the Museum or follow the latest updates at moabmuseum.org.

Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then is a landmark photographic and film exhibit by celebrated artists Dawn Kish and Tad Nichols. This unique showcase presents two perspectives of Glen Canyon: Nichols’ iconic 1950s images, captured before the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, and Kish’s contemporary photographs and documentary film, chronicling the canyon’s stunning reemergence as water levels recede.

The exhibit blends art and advocacy, bringing together the work of two artists separated by decades but united by their shared love for Glen Canyon. Visitors will journey through time, witnessing the power of photography and film to preserve, protect, and inspire action for this iconic landscape.

The Legacy of Tad Nichols
Tad Nichols, often referred to as “the Ansel Adams of Glen Canyon,” dedicated his life to documenting the beauty of the canyon before it was lost to Lake Powell’s rising waters. Alongside conservationists like Katie Lee and Frank Wright, Nichols embarked on expedition after expedition, capturing images that would become his landmark book, Images of a Lost World. His photographs not only immortalized the Glen’s breathtaking landscapes but also served as a call to action for future generations.

Dawn Kish: A New Chapter in Glen Canyon’s Story
In 2021, Dawn Kish, a photographer, filmmaker, and seasoned river guide, was entrusted with Nichols’ original 4×5 large-format film camera by Flagstaff-based printmaker Richard Jackson. Inspired by Nichols’ work, Kish set out to tell Glen Canyon’s next chapter.

As Lake Powell’s water levels receded, exposing forgotten canyons, Kish used Nichols’ camera and book as both tools and inspiration. Inspired by his images, she photographed areas long thought lost and created the award-winning documentary Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed, which has been screened across the West and internationally since its 2022 premiere.