Nick Mueller

Bisbee, AZ

Honoring Buffalo Soldier History, Building Historic Opportunities in the Naco Community - Research on Buffalo Soldier Pocket Games, Series of Binational Chess Opportunities, and Buffalo Soldier Pocket Games Exhibit Design

Nick Mueller is an educator, writer, and nonprofit leader based in Cochise County, Arizona, with advanced degrees in English and Educational Leadership. As Executive Director of Cochise Chess, he has built a bilingual, county-wide chess program from the ground up, while also teaching writing at Arizona State University. 

For his Naco Heritage Alliance Fellowship, Nick proposes a multifaceted project exploring the recreational lives of Buffalo Soldiers stationed at Camp Naco. His research will investigate the leisure activities of the soldiers, culminating in a scholarly paper made accessible through written and audio formats in both English and Spanish. 

In addition, Nick will collaborate with artists to recreate historical pocket games for a Camp Naco exhibit and gift shop, as well as for a traveling exhibition. To bring history to life, he will organize bilingual game nights at Camp Naco and host community educational talks across Cochise County. 

Finally, he will expand his successful Chess in Schools (CIS) program to Naco School, connecting strategy and inclusivity through chess in a historically significant setting. This engaging, hands-on project aims to deepen public appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of Camp Naco through research, recreation, and regional outreach.