Upcoming Events
Eddie Durham Jazz Fest 2022
The Calaboose African American History Museum presents a FREE CONCERT on October 15th celebrating San Marcos native, Eddie Durham, gifted jazz guitarist, trombonist, composer and arranger in the swing era.
The 2022 Eddie Durham Jazz Fest will feature a concert from 11am--5pm with special guest and MC, ‘Topsy’ M. Durham, Eddie Durham’s daughter and biographer. Food trucks, arts and crafts booths and jazz all day promise to make this a wonderful way to spend an October Saturday. You don’t want to miss it!!
Past Events
Free Drumming Class
We had a very engaging FREE DRUMMING class on Saturday,
June 11, 2022 at 1pm at the Cephas House, 217 W. Martin Luther
King Dr. San Marcos, TX 78666
The drumming class last SATURDAY sought to UPLIFT LIVES THROUGH RHYTHM & DRUM! We drummed for radical joy with the facilitated guidance of Austin Rhythm & Drum through a one-hour interactive Rhythm & Drum Program to support African American Music Appreciation Month. We offered 20 FREE spots for community members in attendance to drum with facilitator Deborah Peyton . www.austinrhythmanddrum.com #africandrumming
National Preservation Day 2022
A day of learning, storytelling, preserving histories, and bridge-building around the rich collective and beautifully diverse heritage of San Marcos, Texas!
National Preservation Day 2022 was celebrated at the Cephas House with our amazing community members including City of San Marcos, Dunbar Heritage Association, Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, San Marcos Public Library and many more!!
Our resident archivist & historian Dr. Elvin Holt gives a localized geography and museum tour to community members for the Preservation Day event in honor of National Preservation Month.
The Dream Continues
The Virtual Martin Luther King Jr Event
The Calaboose African American History Museum designed this wreath with humble but heartfelt intention. In the center, there are three photos of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. streaming down the center on a black and gold ribbon to symbolize his Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. membership. The wreath also contains black roses throughout the wreath that symbolize his encircling posthumous legacy. The evergreen wreath itself symbolizes MLK's everlasting dream, which we aim to continue in action and spirit.
Dr. Skyller Walkes, Calaboose African American History Museum President
The Seven Principles or Nguzo Saba
1) Umoja stands for unity in Black families and communities and among Black people all around the world.
2) Kujichagulia means self-determination and the ability of Black people to build their own future by defining, naming and speaking for themselves.
3) Ujima is the Swahili word for collective work and responsibility, encouraging Black people to work together and be accountable to one another.
4) Ujamaa stands for cooperative economics in Black communities, combining energy and focus to build businesses and economic stability and to support each other’s economic goals.
5) Nia means purpose, inspiring Black people to build personal and communal dreams and goals to work towards together.
6) Kuumba is creativity, creating things of beauty that strengthen and empower Black people and Black communities.
7) Imani means faith in Black people, families and heritage keeping faith that the struggle for justice will be won.
How Kwanzaa Came to Be…
Dr. Ron Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 as a way to help Black and or African American families and communities in the United States heal from the painful racial unrest, emotional distress and violence they’d experienced during the Civil Rights movement. Reflection, mindfulness, and healing for Black people are built into the rituals and celebration of the holiday.