San Antonio is preparing to make a major contribution to the preservation of African American history with the expansion of the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, known as SAAACAM. The organization plans to transform the historic Kress-Grant buildings downtown into a 103,000-square-foot cultural center. Once completed, the project is expected to become the largest African American history museum in Texas and the third largest in the country.
The new center will provide substantially more space than SAAACAM’s current location. Plans include approximately 30,000 square feet of immersive exhibition space, classrooms, a research library, a 400-seat auditorium, event areas and a 12-room boutique hotel. The center is also expected to welcome more than 100,000 visitors each year.
The location carries special historical significance. The Kress building was once associated with segregation, including
a lunch counter that became part of San Antonio’s peaceful desegregation movement in 1960. Transforming the site into a museum celebrating African American history gives the building a new purpose while connecting visitors to an important chapter in the city’s civil rights history. SAAACAM’s expansion represents more than the construction of a larger museum. It is an effort to preserve stories, achievements and experiences that have shaped San Antonio, Texas and the nation. The center is designed to educate future generations while creating a lasting cultural destination for residents and visitors alike.
