Mr. George K. Arthur: 1933-2020
Submitted by the Staff of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission
When we were approached by the wonderful staff of Western New York Heritage to do a piece related to African American history for Black History Month, we immediately thought of Mr. George K. Arthur who had recently passed in December of 2020.
Many people know the story of Mr. Arthur, who passed away on December 25, 2020, and of course a number of biographical pieces have appeared recently and through the years. He was such an active and vocal member of the community it would be difficult not to know something of him. But he lived such a rich and vivid life we thought it fitting to share portions of his story again, this time from a personal perspective.
Mr. Arthur was a native Buffalonian and one of three siblings. He attended the Buffalo Public Schools and Seneca Vocational High School, where he was the first African American to graduate after majoring in photography. In 1953, he was drafted into the US Army and served in the Signal Corps, the branch responsible for military communication. Service in this particular branch allowed him to hone his photography techniques and become quite skilled.
After returning from the service, Mr. Arthur returned to school and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Empire State College. Following college, he bounced around in different jobs for a few years; working briefly for Bethlehem Steel, PhotoTech Studios and as a Narcotics counselor.
In the early 1960s, Mr. Arthur was approached by a friend—Plummer Godsby—to run as a committeeman with him. This would launch Mr. Arthur’s lifelong career in politics. Over the decades, he would serve on the Erie County Board of Supervisors (the precursor to the County Legislator), as the Ellicott District councilman in the Buffalo Common Council, and as president of the Common Council. He ran for Buffalo City Mayor in 1985, narrowly losing to James D. Griffin.
Arthur poses with Judge Ann Mikoll during his 1985 campaign for Buffalo mayor.
Credit: The George K. Arthur Political Papers, Archives & Special Collections of SUNY Buffalo State
Mr. Arthur formally retired from politics in 1996, but continued to be an active member of the community. In addition to being involved in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission and our anchor sites, he was also involved with Kleinhans Music Hall, Shiloh Housing, Shea’s Buffalo, CEPA Gallery, and dozens of other organizations. He also served as a board member of Western New York Heritage, including a term as board president.
The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission—as well as many of our anchor sites—would not exist if not for Mr. Arthur. We have included two pieces of commemoration written by our board members that speak to Mr. Arthur’s impact and influence in the corridor.
In Remembrance
By Sharon Holley
President, Michigan Street Preservation Corporation
I came to Buffalo from Florida in the winter of 1970. Mr. Arthur had already begun to leave his mark on Buffalo politics and community organizing. After retiring from the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library in 2006, I was invited to the Board of the Michigan Street Preservation Corporation by Mr. William A. Miles. This gave me a chance to see up close and personal Mr. Arthur’s leadership.
George Arthur shakes hands with Martin Luther King, during Dr. King’s visit to Buffalo in November 1967.
Credit: The George K. Arthur Political Papers, Archives & Special Collections of SUNY Buffalo State
In May 2007 the Nash House Museum officially opened to the public after 8-9 years of planning, construction and rehabilitation of the home of Rev. and Mrs. J. Edward Nash at 36 Nash Street. Working with a number of partners from the city, community and private companies, Mr. Arthur committed himself to the preservation of this historic landmark and its surrounding stories. There were very few names and places that when mentioned he could not recall the stories. For him to give you a tour of the Nash House Museum was to take you down memory lane with the people and places that he had known or remembered from his childhood. With colorful language and a photographer’s eye for detail he could hold your attention for hours.
Architect sketch of the restored Rev. J. Edward Nash House. This image appeared in an article on the Nash House project in the Winter 2004 issue of Western New York Heritage.
Credit: Hamilton Houston Lownie, Architects, 2003
What I most admired about working with Mr. Arthur at the Michigan Street Preservation Corporation was his intentional focus on the larger picture of African American community development, his skill to organize and prioritize the many projects that he was working on and his willingness to share and guide Board members in building the organization. While I still feel the loss of Mr. Arthur on Christmas Day 2020, I am aware that no one can fill his shoes. His contributions to the city of Buffalo and the Michigan African American Heritage Corridor Commission and especially the Michigan Street Preservation Corporation leaves a guide to follow the pathways that will continue to leave a legacy.
In Remembrance
By George Scott
Former President, Colored Musician’s Club &Chairman, MSAAHCC
When I first heard about Mr. George K. Arthur, I was in Middle School soon to be entering High School, and he was running for office as a City Councilman. He was well dressed, spoke very eloquently, and had great ideas for making the community a better place. At that early age I knew that this man was a leader. Later in my life I would become associated with the Colored Musicians Club, first as a young musician with several of the club’s bands, and later as the president of the club. George K. would be at many of our festivals, taking pictures of all who performed as well as overseeing many of these community events, but it was not until I was elected to the Board of Directors and became the President that my relationship with George K. Arthur would grow.
George Scott with George Arthur at the Colored Musicians Club museum.
Credit: Courtesy George Scott
He was one of the first to congratulate me and took me under his wing in running the club, even inviting me to join me the board at the Nash House Museum. As we started our planning toward creating our own museum at the club, George K. would bring me to meet with the Mayor, County Executive, Councilman, Senators, State Senators, Bank Presidents, Historians, and Preservationist. I was just amazed by how many people that he knew and that knew him personally. If it were not for him, we would still be working on trying to build a museum. He was like a father figure. It is because of his knowledge of local history and the interesting stories of the lives of those who came through the club that we were able to form our museum. Every house every building had significance to the Corridor and the Club. He remembered names, dates, and times. He taught me so much and groomed me on telling the stories of these great Jazz Artists and Community Leaders that surrounded it.
