Westbrook named executive director at Calaboose

Vanessa Westbrook has been named the executive director of the Calaboose African American History Museum.

Westbrook comes to The Calaboose Museum from the DoSeum: San Antonio Museum for Kids, where she served for four years as the STEM Education Manager.

“Museums provide a unique environment for learning, discovery, and curiosity for all ages,” says Westbrook. “Imagine discovering pieces of your own family history among artifacts on display or learning about famous people from years ago who made contributions to society who were in school with your grandparents.”

Prior to her leadership at DoSeum, Westbrook served as the Director of International Professional Development at the National Science Teachers’ Association; Director of Science at the Charles A. Dana Center, a research unit at the University of Texas at Austin; Educator and Administrator in Austin Independent School District and Fort Worth Independent School District; and as a consultant for several companies and industries throughout the United States. 

Westbrook received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Master’s in Education from University of Texas at Arlington, and Master of Arts from Texas State University. She holds a generalist TEA granted teaching certificate and has years of experience in public secondary education, higher education, and museums. Westbrook, who has semi-retired, relishes her new position at the Calaboose and the challenges it brings. As Executive Director, she will work to enhance the institutional stability, community outreach and financial health of the Calaboose, which has been operated exclusively by volunteers over the last two decades.  

Founded in 1997 by Johnnie Armstead, the Calaboose African American History Museum maintains a growing collection of documents, photographs, and artifacts that reflect the history and culture of past and present African American residents of the Dunbar Neighborhood. 

June will be designated as “Donate to the Calaboose African American History Museum Month” as the celebration of Juneteenth brings community members together to remember the announcement of the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas. 

The Calaboose Museum will begin summer hours on Saturday with expanded visiting times: Thursdays & Fridays — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays — noon to 5 p.m. 

The public is invited to stop by during open hours to meet Ms. Westbrook, the Calaboose’s new Executive Director, explore local history, examine artifacts, and discover the stories of San Marcos.