The state Legislature has earmarked $400 million for the redevelopment of the Alamo, reigniting hope that the site’s revival will move forward. The restoration of this iconic piece of Texas history, alongside a more holistic telling of its story, would be a major win for the state.
Many Texans probably remember the clash of wills surrounding the initial proposal to restore the site. Infighting between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and former Land Commissioner George P. Bush is a memorable dispute. The controversy surrounding the proposed moving of the Cenotaph memorial sculpture was heated as well — although the wise decision has since been made to leave it in place.
This new phase in redevelopment is taking place amid more amicable debate than we saw in recent memory. But given the controversies surrounding how the history of the site and of Texas more broadly has been taught, some will surely remain dissatisfied.
First things first, though, and that is restoration and protection. The 300-year-old buildings have been deteriorating and surrounded by unrelated tourist attractions. That has failed to convey the feeling of stepping into the past that the shrine deserves. The current plan aims to change that.
Many organizations have been represented in the planning process, including the Alamo Citizen Advisory Committee established by the city of San Antonio, the Texas General Land Office and the Alamo’s Museum Planning Committee, among others. The latter is made up of historians, archeologists, museum experts and community stakeholders.
The three main goals of the project are to preserve the church and Long Barrack, recapture the original footprint of the battlefield and mission, and construct a visitor center and museum intended to tell all aspects of the site’s history.
The Alamo has long been mythologized, and while its full history is complex and multifaceted, it remains a vital part of Texas’ independence story.
There are seven planned exhibits in chronological order. They include the history of the indigenous people before the mission’s arrival, the Spanish colonial settlements, and of course, the Texas Revolution and the infamous battle of 1836. There is a planned eighth exhibit to tell the story of the civil rights movement surrounding the site.
The museum is expected to include a pop-culture gallery highlighting Hollywood favorites such as the 1960 John Wayne film and the 2004 Billy Bob Thornton movie.
Adopting a whole-history approach is reasonable and respectful. There is no reason the Alamo cannot be celebrated as a center of Texan history while less savory aspects of it are explored. We hope that this new approach will educate visitors and encourage them to draw their own conclusions.
Assuming all goes to plan, the grand opening of the museum and visitor center in 2027 — marking the project’s completion — will mark a new period of both vitality and reverence for the site.