A significant moment in San Marcos history was celebrated with the official signing to transfer the Mitchell Center, located at 715 Valley Street, to The Calaboose African American History Museum On Dec. 18. This milestone represents a meaningful step toward preserving and honoring the rich cultural heritage of our community.
The journey began in March 2024, when city council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals to find a non-profit organization that could best utilize the Mitchell Center to serve the community. By September, six proposals had been received, and after careful evaluation, The Calaboose African American History Museum was selected unanimously by the evaluation team.
During the October 15 city council meeting, staff presented the outcomes of the RFP process, and council approved the transfer of the property to the Museum.
The Calaboose African American History Museum plans to relocate and expand its exhibits to the Mitchell Center, creating an immersive museum experience that will serve as a vital cultural and educational hub for the San Marcos community, particularly the Dunbar neighborhood. This expanded space will allow the Museum to preserve the cultural significance of the historic Calaboose building while offering a broader interpretation of its history alongside that of the Historic Hays County Jail.
“This is a very significant thing that we are doing,” San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson said during the Nov. 6 City Council meeting. “It’s really, really going to benefit our community [by] putting that building back into use.”
San Marcos City Council Member Mathew Mendoza echoed the importance of this step.
“Growing up here in San Marcos, it’s about time that we start going in that direction of museum districts and recognizing these neighborhoods that are so important to our culture,” he said. “This is the first step and I’m hoping that council will start looking to other amazing neighborhoods to show some pride.”
Michele Burleson, Calaboose Museum vice president, shared her excitement during the signing ceremony.
“We have been waiting a long time for this,” Burleson said. “It is such an exciting day!”
The signing ceremony marked the official transfer of the property, capturing the spirit of collaboration and commitment to preserving the stories of our past. The city is proud to support The Calaboose African American History Museum in its mission to enrich our community’s cultural landscape.
