Last updated: 7/26/2009
Calaboose Black History Museum
San Marcos, Texas
Street Address
200 Martin Luther King
San Marcos, TX 78666
Mailing Address
1421 W. Hopkins
San Marcos, TX 78666
Hours of Operation

Saturdays 1-5 and by appointment

Admission
Museum Type(s)
Culture
History
Specialized
Staff
Linda Kelsey-Jones
phone: 512-754-7946
Margie Villalpondo
phone: 512-353-1383
Richard Gachot
phone: 512-396-7526
Josie Mack
phone: 512-392-4134
Ollie Giles
phone: 512-396-1359
Mrs. Johnnie Armstead
phone: 512-353-0124
Description

Future projects include:
Renovation of Cephus House as additional museum space.
Eddie Durham Jazz Park for family picnics, social events and recreation.
Renovation of unnoccupied First Baptist to Community Center for Dunbar neighborhood.

History

1873 Hays County's First Jail House
1943 Extension added to create USO Dance Hall for Black Soldiers
1954 Converted to Community Center for Dunbar residents
1990 Building renovated to house African American History Museum

Artifact Collections

Papers, letters, books, photographs and antique artifacts related to local and national aspects of African American History. Special exhibits include displays relating to the Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, WWII Military, Civil Rights, Klu Klux Klan, San Marcos area history, and locally born and raised Jazz great, Eddie Durham.

Research Collections

Papers, letters, books, photographs related to local and national aspects of African American History. Special exhibits include displays relating to the Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, WWII Military, Civil Rights, Klu Klux Klan, San Marcos area history, and locally born and raised Jazz great, Eddie Durham.

Programs

The museum offers a variety of programs that benefit local citizens as well as schools in San Marcos, San Antonio, Austin and surrounding areas. The popular Traveling Trunk takes history to the schools, universities, civic groups, and to community festivals such as Sights and Sounds and the Texas Natural Swing Festival.

The museum sponsors and hosts several annual events:
February: The Salute to Women Entrepreneurs
March: The Calaboose and the Price Seniors Center welcome the spring season as co-hosts of the Daffodil Days Music Festival.
July: The U.S.O. program honors the building's role as a U.S.O. for black soldiers during World War II.
August: The museum hosts the Eddie Durham Jazz Tribute, an observance that celebrates the life and achievements of this internationally renowned jazz pioneer and son of San Marcos.
December: the museum displays an array of Ethnic and Cultural Christmas Trees.

Throughout the year the museum's trained docents host bus tours, elder hostel, school groups and visitors from around the world.

Governance

Board of Directors, 501 C3

Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars

Appointment required: False

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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

March 29 - 31, 2025

Athens, Ohio

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

March 30 - 31, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

March 31 - April 3, 2025

Washington, Arkansas

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