Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 58: Canary Island Descendants

More than 290 years ago, 16 families from the Spanish Canary Islands, off the coast of Northwest Africa, embarked on a yearlong journey through sea and land. They settled just footsteps from the Alamo near modern-day Main Plaza, where they began to lay out a village.

We reveal the remarkable legacy the Canary Island settlers left on San Antonio, how their descendants are keeping their history alive, and why the Alamo is now recording their stories for the historical record. Featuring the Alamo's Vice President of Collections, Curation, Conservation, and Archaeology Dr. Tyler Taylor, Canary Island descendant Anthony Delgado, and Canary Island Descendant Kathleen Betty.

Canary Islands Descendants Association: https://cida-sa.org/
Map of key Canary Island sites in downtown San Antonio: https://www.bexar.org/3673/The-Canary-Islanders
Photo of millstone Canary Islanders brought to San Antonio: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyBaucumSATX/posts/1104728677682880
If you have an artifact the Alamo might be interested in: [email protected]

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 57: Spanish Texas

Mission San Antonio de Valero - the Mission we know today as the Alamo - moved to its current location in 1724, making this year its 300th anniversary.

We reveal the history of Spanish Texas: what Mission life was like, and the artifacts that survived the centuries to tell the story. Plus, we host a conversation with a Spanish visitor who came here to learn more about his country’s past. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez and "Atlantic Express" podcast host Paco Reyero.

Watch video about the Mission's founding document: https://youtu.be/dpMXEb4V_j4?si=fBlhxMvYpRO5gUmD
Learn more about Mission San Antonio de Valero: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/mission-valero
Listen to the Atlantic Express podcast: https://www.rtve.es/play/audios/atlantic-express/

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 56: Connecting The San Antonio Missions

San Antonio’s Spanish missions were more than churches. They were communities that planted roots so deep, they grew our city into a place known all over the world. 

We reveal the stories behind each of San Antonio’s missions, show the connections forged over time, and how they’ve remained community foundations through the centuries. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Interpretation Tom Castanos and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's Chief of Interpretation & Education PT Lathrop.

Plan your visit to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: https://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm
Plan your visit to the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/tours-and-experiences

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Episode 55: Mexican Constitution Of 1824

In October 1824 - 200 years ago this month - the people of Mexico drafted their first Constitution. It’s known today as the Mexican Constitution of 1824.

We reveal why history remembers this document, how it led to the key players in the Alamo’s story making their way to Texas, and why what happened to the Constitution just a decade later helped spark the Texas Revolution. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez and Dr. David Carlson from the Spanish Archives of Bexar County.

Photo of Mexican Eagle sculpture at the Alamo: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyBaucumSATX/posts/pfbid02QEDBAERTUcLCagLAqoBF3XUnAH5TFWZdXWSc5NySuRwzGCZnSRLi1TQkZRMgNhjRl
Photo of Mexican Garrison flag at the Alamo: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyBaucumSATX/posts/1105399480949133

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 54: Celebrating Texas Archaeology Month

This October, the Alamo is celebrating Texas Archaeology Month. Visitors to the Alamo are often astonished to learn our archaeology team is still discovering artifacts that continue to shape our understanding of the site’s history.

We reveal the latest finds from the Battle of the Alamo and even from before, when the place we know as the Alamo was a Spanish Mission. And, we’ll explore the work of a veteran archaeologist who has uncovered stories hidden in the ground of downtown San Antonio and across Texas. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Archaeology Dr. Tiffany Lindley and Dr. Steve Tomka from the Cultural Resources National Practice Lead Program at engineering consulting firm Raba Kistner.

Read the Alamo's weekly archaeology updates: https://www.thealamo.org/support/preservation/updates
Learn more about the Alamo Archaeology Symposium: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/alamo-archaeology-symposium

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 53: The Alamo Visitor Center & Museum Construction Kickoff

This week the Alamo marks an extraordinary new chapter in the site’s 300-year history, with the official construction kickoff of The Alamo Visitor Center and Museum.

We reveal the latest plans for the ambitious space, what you can expect to see as you walk through each gallery, and the detailed work behind the scenes to truly tell a story bigger than Texas. Featuring Alamo Trust, Inc., Executive Director Dr. Kate Rogers.

Read more about the Alamo Plan: https://www.thealamo.org/support/alamo-plan
Watch highlights from the Construction Kickoff Ceremony: https://youtu.be/tvy_IliRYQ0?si=hUnRlB_eThuYV_9v

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 52: The Alamo's Medal Of Honor History

In just a matter of days, real life heroes will walk the Alamo grounds. They’ve received the United States’ highest award for military valor in action: the Medal of Honor.

We reveal the special gathering taking place to honor these deserving veterans, the stories of Medal of Honor recipients who actually lay in state inside the Alamo Church, and how the Alamo’s strongest supporters are now banding together to ensure history remembers these heroes.

Featuring the Alamo’s Senior Researcher and Historian Kolby Lanham; Remember The Alamo Foundation board member and Medal of Honor Celebration board member Phil Bakke; Congressional Medal of Honor Society President and Medal of Honor recipient Britt Slabinski; and, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Senior Director of Archives, Collections and Museums Laura Jowdy.

View photo from Medal recipient Bill Bordelon's service at the Alamo: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyBaucumSATX/posts/1094222755400139
Visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's website: https://www.cmohs.org/
Learn more about the Medal of Honor Celebration in San Antonio: https://www.cmohssatx.org/
Learn more about the Patriot Awards Gala: https://www.cmohssatx.org/patriot-awards-gala/
Buy individual tickets for the Patriot Awards Gala: https://www.betterunite.com/patriotawardsgala

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 51: Hispanic Heritage Month

Right now, the Alamo is marking Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s observed from September 15 through October 15 each year in the United States, and encompasses the independence anniversaries of seven Latin American countries, including Mexico.

We reveal several new initiatives the Alamo is launching in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, from expanding the reach of our guided tours to programs that will widen the lens of Texas history for local educators and our global visitors. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Interpretation Tom Castanos; the Alamo's Bilingual History Interpreter Valeria Medina; the Alamo's Senior Manager of Learning Programs & Living History Robin Haynie; the Alamo's Direction of Education Alex Rivard; and the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez.

Book a guided tour: https://www.thealamo.org/plan-your-visit/
Where educators can sign up for Teach The Alamo workshops: https://www.thealamo.org/educators/workshops-for-credit
More information about Tejanos at the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/tejanos-at-the-alamo

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 50: September 11th At The Alamo

September 11 is a day that needs no year to explain its meaning, a day forever marked in our memories. As we vow to never forget its horrors, history reminds us that September 11 has important ties to Texas history, in unexpected ways.

We roll back time to reveal what September 11 meant during the Republic of Texas era. Then we’ll jump forward in time to 2001, when the world as we knew it changed in an instant - and, the solemn reminder now on display at the Alamo. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez.

Photo of Tsunami the 9/11 Rescue Dog's paw print in the Alamo Guest Book: https://www.thealamo.org/fileadmin/assets/remember/first_911_dog.jpeg
Photo of The War Dog Memorial that Tsunami posed for: https://dougroper.com/commissioned-works/
Photo of Camp Alamo bell now on display in the Alamo Exhibit: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyBaucumSATX/posts/1084568459698902

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 49: The Real Sam Houston

A victorious Texas General, a lifelong American politician, and a trusted friend of the Indigenous community.

We reveal the real Sam Houston: how running away from home changed the course of his life, the path that placed him on the road to revolution, and his prominent foothold in the political establishment. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Researcher & Historian Kolby Lanham.

Alamo historians visit Sam Houston's birthplace: https://youtube.com/shorts/b-hTQdB5eHw?si=5hTu_6ph9wV7NRIj
Artifacts from Sam Houston's life on display at the Alamo: https://youtu.be/yVx7waVex1Y?si=OInNvZiy1Z1klxmF

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