Historian to highlight World War I African-American chaplain

Historian Anthony L. Powell visits Cantigny next month to discuss the letters and ideas of Chaplain William S. Braddan, the only African-American officer from World War I who left a first-person record of his service in France.

The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, in the Visitors Center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Admission is free.

Braddan was born in a troop wagon of the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army on the Texas frontier, his father being a sergeant with the regiment. At age 16, he enlisted with the regiment himself and eventually participated in the Great War as a member of 370th Infantry, the only unit commanded entirely by black officers.

After his military service, Braddan relocated to Chicago, becoming the pastor of Berean Baptist Church and chaplain for the 8th Infantry Regiment of the Illinois National Guard.

Powell, of San Jose, California, has devoted more than 30 years to studying, teaching, collecting and writing about the American Buffalo Soldier, the nickname first applied to 19th-century African-American enlisted men serving in the western United States.

Powell curates "The Buffalo Soldier," a national traveling exhibit, and lectures extensively on black military history at universities, colleges and museums.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3. A cash bar will accompany a limited food menu. Coffee is complimentary.

This event is part of the First Division Museum's Date with History, a monthly series featuring discussions with authors, panelists, historians and special guests. Information about upcoming programs is online at firstdivisionmuseum.org.