A multimedia museum that pays homage to San Antonio icon Rosemary Kowalski will open this week on the east side of the city.
The Rosemary Museum will officially open Thursday, Sept. 24, featuring pieces, memorabilia and tributes spanning 100 years, beginning in September 27, 1924 until her death on December 10, 2024. The museum highlights significant eras in Rosemary’s life, from childhood and young adult years to the beginning of the family legacy business and her community impact. The exhibit will be on permanent display at the company’s San Antonio headquarters at 4039 I-10, following a series of preview events. Tours of The Rosemary Museum will be available by appointment beginning Sept. 28, and can be requested by visiting their website.
In 1946, Rosemary and her husband, WWII-veteran Hank Kowalski, started what is known today as Rosemary’s Catering, according to the company’s website. The couple started catering private events and expanded quickly, making a name for the Kowalski family.
In 1989, Rosemary officially turned the leadership over to her son Greg, and the firm was rebranded under a new name, The RK Group. The company expanded to include several other specialized services and event management. Kowalski served as chairwoman emeritus shortly before her death.
“We are truly delighted to be able to showcase an incredible range of pieces and mementos that reflect Rosemary’s personal, professional, and philanthropic interests as well as events in the city’s own history,” Greg said in a statement. “It also gave our family the opportunity to revisit so many special occasions we spent with her and be reminded again of just how much she accomplished in her lifetime.”
Plans for the exhibit began in early 2025 and were curated by members of the Kowalski family in conjunction with Elaine Dagen, who has extensive experience with large-scale installations. Dagen, the founding owner of the DagenBela Galeria that was once housed at Historic Market Square, forged a decades-long friendship with Rosemary with the two often working together on numerous community and charitable endeavors.
One notable project was a 60-minute film, documenting Rosemary’s life, originally intended to preserve her memories for her family and its future generations. The film, which aired on KLRN-TV in 2016, sparked the Kowalski family’s idea to create the new museum. The family approached Dagen who scoured thousands of photographs and archival files to produce the final project.
“It really was a massive undertaking that shows how much Rosemary was loved and recognized by so many people,” noted Greg Kowalski. “She herself had compiled so many photos and memorabilia, in addition to the family’s own collection and contributions from community organizations. There was just an immense compilation of material, and many tough decisions were made over these last months in trying to choose the most meaningful pieces that show her never-say-no attitude and her joy of celebrating people.”
Tours of The Rosemary Museum can be requested by clicking here.