Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 148: San Antonio As The Queen Of The West
 
How did a place with one remote Spanish mission become one of the largest cities in the United States? From battle-scarred to bustling: that’s the story of San Antonio.
 
We reveal the eyewitness accounts of this journey, the natural and made-made resources that fueled growth, and what makes San Antonio the Queen of the West. Featuring the Alamo's former curator Dr. Bruce Winders.

More on Dr Winders' book "Queen of the West:" https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781649670038/queen-of-the-west/

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 147: "Sons Of '76: The Alamo In The Age Of Revolutions" Exhibit

"Sons of ’76: The Alamo in the Age of Revolutions" is a new exhibit opening September 4 at the Alamo to celebrate the intertwined story of America and the Alamo.
 
We reveal how the Alamo played a role in the American Revolution, why one independence movement sparked another, and what guests will take away from these kindred fights for freedom. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Curation Nathan Jones.

Plan your visit to see the exhibit: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/sons-of-76
Join the Friends of the Alamo Member Night: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/sons-of-76-member-night

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 146: Architecture Of The Alamo Church

It’s a worldwide symbol of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom. But the people who built the Alamo Church as a humble house of worship could have never imagined its future fame.
 
We reveal how the Alamo Church was designed, the features that symbolize its religious roots, and how its architecture evolved into the Shrine of Texas Liberty we know today. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator & Historian Ernesto Rodriguez and the Alamo's Head Conservator Pam Jary Rosser

Take a virtual tour of the Alamo Church: https://www.thealamo.org/church-virtual-tour

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 145: Tracing Travis - An Author’s Journey
 
William Barret Travis is best known for three words: “Victory or Death.” But who is the man behind those words?
 
We reveal how an upcoming biography aims to show the man behind the myth, what the author has learned from poring through Travis’ handwritten documents, and the mission to help Alamo researchers of the future. Featuring author and lawyer Edith Pollitz.

Archive episode - "The Real William Barret Travis" - https://youtu.be/-ulBWhbOOyU?si=IzC5XXlfTx4wyMU1
Video of The Travis Letter on display at the Alamo in 2024: https://youtu.be/JRyJkcboY9w?si=K4xcqtElirmoy_9f

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 144: The Summer Of 1835

The story goes, the Texas Revolution began with a single shot in October of 1835. And while that’s true, the seeds of revolution were being planted for many years before that fateful day in Gonzales.
 
We reveal the critical months of the Summer of 1835, what caused simmering tensions to boil, and how the diplomatic hopes at the start of summer heated up into a full-scale military mission. Featuring the Alamo's former curator Dr. Bruce Winders and Alamo Podcaster For A Day, 11-year-old Everly Garcia from San Antonio.

Texas Revolution Timeline: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battle-and-revolution/revolution-timeline

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 143: The Alamo's Texas Tree Of Life Mural

A monumental work of art is now on display at the most world-renowned monument in Texas. The “Texas Tree Of Life” mural is opening a new portal to history inside the Alamo’s Texas Cavaliers Education Center.
 
We reveal art’s role in the Alamo’s story, the highly-detailed efforts to tell the Alamo’s 300-year story in one piece of art, and the artist’s hopes of sparking a lifelong love for history at an early age. Featuring the Alamo's Vice President of Education & Interpretation Kate Carey, and renowned San Antonio artist Ricky Armendariz.

See photo of mural: https://www.thealamo.org/fileadmin/_processed_/3/b/csm_tree_of_life_pano_be10889044.jpg
Watch video of mural being created: https://youtu.be/O9kZ7_eK-vw?si=Nuf2f9qKHl4G2Y8G
Watch video from Art at the Alamo event: https://youtu.be/19TQFqT-xgY?si=IdgDWr-m7mjZZjbi

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 142: The Alamo City Through John Quiñones’ Eyes

He’s an ambassador for the Alamo City with a front-row seat to history. John Quiñones travels the world as a correspondent and host for ABC News. Wherever he goes, he carries San Antonio in his heart.
 
We reveal what brought the native son back home to the Alamo, the surprising family history he discovered while he was here, and the lessons brought to light as we mark a milestone in American history. Featuring ABC News correspondent and San Antonio native John Quiñones.

Watch his America 250 story from the Alamo City: https://www.facebook.com/reel/26895755286765536
Learn more about John Quiñones: https://www.johnquinones.com

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 141: Southwest Corner - 18 Pounder Cannon Exhibit

It fired the shot that started the Siege of the Alamo. The 18-pounder cannon’s place in Alamo history is now taking physical shape on the grounds of the historic site.
 
We reveal the new exhibit showcasing its role in the world-famous battle, the hands-on features to help people understand the weight of warfare, and how it unlocks an even older era of Alamo history. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator & Historian Ernesto Rodriguez and the Alamo's Senior Researcher & Historian Kolby Lanham.

See Southwest Corner Exhibit: https://youtu.be/rizi2ExcyNs?si=L-3S0d3XPQcJ3C0s
Plan your visit to the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/plan-your-visit/

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 140: The Paseo Del Alamo

It’s another exciting milestone in the Alamo Plan: the reopening of the Paseo del Alamo. The Paseo connects the Alamo – the number-one most-visited tourist destination in Texas – with the River Walk, the second most-visited spot.
 
We reveal how this vital connection will enhance the guest experience, why it’s just the latest way the Alamo is connecting downtown, and how this investment will create a powerful sense of arrival to the historic site. Featuring Alamo Trust, Inc., President & CEO Secretary Hope Andrade and Alamo Senior Curator & Historian Ernesto Rodriguez.

See video of Paseo del Alamo: https://youtu.be/rizi2ExcyNs?si=L-3S0d3XPQcJ3C0s
See video of the Promenade: https://youtu.be/aFrtJR3ta9c?si=DGeYcYH39g0GdmI4
See photo of the Promenade: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlamo/posts/pfbid0eDgCG9y6q9wbYkuGaDzfd4hNE9mJhNJj7rxy6RhGQyuyhymB3eiC7LK7JzHTCRb2l
See the final beam being placed atop future Alamo Visitor Center & Museum: https://youtu.be/mKcXbrCXuPE?si=76SKwEtEio4arJlN

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 139: The Esparza Family Reunion
 
Two brothers, Gregorio and Francisco Esparza, fought on opposite sides of the Texas Revolution. During the Battle of the Alamo, Gregorio manned a cannon inside the Alamo Church while his wife and children huddled for safety just steps away in the Sacristy.
 
We reveal how, 190 years later, the Esparza family carries on their legacies, the artifacts that have survived the centuries, and how a family reunion this summer ensures their stories are never forgotten. Featuring Esparza descendants Peggy Huizar Guerrero, Erlinda Huizar, and Benny Garza.

See Gregorio Esparza portrait: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlamo/posts/pfbid02oE8PRnvjvgjG1CnKV8am4EfwXddXWUY4MM7BmuSYwk7w7S6QSupbfFQkJWiB51tyl
See Isabel Esparza wedding jacket: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyBaucumSATX/posts/this-satin-brocade-wedding-jacket-was-worn-in-1893-by-isabel-esparza-the-grandda/858688762286874/
Esparza family website: https://gregorioesparzaalamodescendants.org

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