Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 47: World Heritage Festival

The location we know today as the Alamo was founded in 1724 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the first modern settlement of San Antonio. The mission, along with four others in San Antonio, represent the largest concentration of Spanish Colonial missions in North America, earning these historic grounds a coveted World Heritage Site designation.

We reveal the work being done across San Antonio to maintain that designation, the upcoming festival committed to keeping this rich history alive, and the special event at the Alamo taking you behind Mission walls for a fresh look at this age-old story. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Interpretation Tom Castanos and the City of San Antonio's World Heritage Office Director Colleen Swain.

Reserve your ticket for the Alamo's "A Vision of History" event: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/a-vision-of-history
Visit the World Heritage Festival's website: https://www.worldheritagefestival.org/
Visit the World Heritage Office's website: https://www.worldheritagesa.com/

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 46: The Real David Crockett

A frontiersman, a soldier, a community leader, a state legislator, a U.S. Representative, an author - and a coonskin cap-wearing celebrity. Who was the real David Crockett?

We reveal the folk hero's humble beginnings, his unlikely path to that fateful morning defending the Alamo, and what separates the real-life man from the larger than life legend. Featuring the Alamo's former curator Dr. Bruce Winders.

Celebrate Crockett's Birthday at the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/crocketts-birthday
Alamo historians visit David Crockett State Park: https://youtube.com/shorts/vSGeGmo8Nzc?si=n_HKcuWs4JsDiuuO
Photo of Davy Crockett Almanac on display in the Alamo Exhibit: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=785530896269328&set=pb.100044372741638.-2207520000&type=3
Video showcasing last letter Crockett wrote before leaving Tennessee for Texas: https://youtu.be/NCuIpJbeuyQ?si=245BPzihUn_vtb-d

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 45: The Real William Barret Travis

He's best known for three words: "Victory or Death." But who was the real William Barret Travis?

We reveal the man behind the famous letter, addressed "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World," the varied ways this Alamo Defender is remembered by history, and how his written word helps tell the story of Texas throughout the ages. Featuring the Alamo's former curator Dr. Bruce Winders.

Video of recently donated Travis Statue: https://youtu.be/iCZK74418SY?si=LMmo6ImLrffY4z38
Video showcasing The Travis Letter: https://youtu.be/JRyJkcboY9w?si=zG4STonVOhcJdmS0
"Victory or Death" collection in the Alamo Gift Shop: https://store.thealamo.org/featured-gifts/victory-or-death

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 44: Heirlooms & Keepsakes - A Collection Expert's Advice

Every collection tells a story. Here at the Alamo, our collection of thousands of artifacts tells the story of this historic site. You may have a collection, too - family photos, stamps, baseball cards - that tells a more personal story.

We reveal an Alamo collection expert's advice for caring for your home collection, how to store those precious heirlooms and keepsakes, and - when the time comes - how best to plan for their future. Featuring the Alamo's Collections Manager Misty Lanham.

Learn more about the "Treasures of the Alamo: A Call For Memorabilia" campaign: https://www.thealamo.org/treasures
Email the Alamo collections team: [email protected]
Find an appraiser in your area: https://myaccount.appraisers.org/Directories/Find-An-Appraiser

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 43: Treasures Of The Alamo - A Call For Memorabilia

Calling all Alamo enthusiasts! It's your chance to be a part of history by donating your cherished Alamo memorabilia to the upcoming Visitor Center and Museum.

We reveal our latest initiative, "Treasures Of The Alamo: A Call For Memorabilia" and explain the kinds of items the Alamo is looking for, the best way for you to tell us about them, and how the Alamo plans to take this memorabilia from around the world to showcase how and why we Remember The Alamo. Featuring the Alamo's Vice President of Collections, Curations, Conservation, and Archaeology Dr. Tyler Taylor and the Alamo's Director of Curation Nathan Jones.

How to donate your memorabilia through October 24, 2024: https://www.thealamo.org/treasures

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 42: Myths & Legends Of The Alamo

After the Battle of the Alamo, just a few survivors remained to share the story. Their firsthand accounts quickly spread. But in this pre-digital era, the stories evolved to include some of the myths and legends we still hear today.

Today we reveal some of the biggest tall tales, from Travis' line in the sand to Sam Houston's order to blow up the Alamo. Our experts separate fact from fiction and put these myths and legends in their proper place in how people across generations Remember The Alamo. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez and the Alamo's Director of Interpretation Tom Castanos.

Reserve ticket for Myths & Legends Tour on July 25: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/myths-and-legends-of-the-alamo-guided-tour
Watch for upcoming after-hours tours: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/calendar/upcoming-events
Join Friends of the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/membership

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 41: Presidential Connections To The Alamo

The recent Independence Day in the United States creates a time of reflection. The country is 248 years old. Texas has been apart of it for about 179 years.

Today we reveal all the U.S. Presidents who have been to the Alamo or impacted its history: the speeches they gave, the photos they took, and how their connections here have continued the site's enduring legacy. Featuring the Alamo's Researcher Thomas Ledesma.

Alamo Historians visit James K. Polk ancestral home: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9EOgK1lIP2A
Verbatim of Richard Nixon's 1960 speech at the Alamo: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-the-vice-president-the-alamo-san-antonio-tx
Verbatim of John F. Kennedy's 1960 speech at the Alamo: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-senator-john-f-kennedy-the-alamo-san-antonio-tx
Verbatim of Gerald Ford's 1976 speech at the Alamo: https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0122/1252798.pdf
Associated Press photo of Gerald Ford eating tamales: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/26/dining/food-fails-presidential-edition.html
Hand-drawn flyer advertising Jimmy Carter's 1976 visit: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth249332/
Bill Clinton's 1996 speech at the Alamo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfDrjal1Ltk
Laura Bush recalling childhood memories of the Alamo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTH_oyqGFho&t=43s
View Presidential signatures in the Alamo's Guest Book: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/commerce-and-preservation/presidential-visits-to-the-alamo

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 40: Texas' 4th Of July

As we celebrate Independence Day next week in the United States, Texas has a special connection to the 4th Of July.

Today we reveal how the path to statehood prompted Texas to have its own 4th Of July, why the young Republic chose to join the United States, and the hidden Texas symbol you can spot in the United States flag. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez.

Read former Alamo curator Dr. Bruce Winders' essay on Texas annexation: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/military-occupation/independence-and-annexation
See etching of Texas Annexation ceremony: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/military-occupation
Join the Alamo July 5 for Stars & Stripes Salute concert: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/stars-stripes-salute

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 39: The Mission Gate & Lunette

A gateway to history: the Alamo's latest outdoor exhibit, the Mission Gate & Lunette, represents the main gate of the historic mission-fort.

Today we reveal the history behind the interpretation, the artistic technique used by local artisans to give us a window into the past, and how the exhibit gives us a newfound appreciation for the size and scale of the Alamo site. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Interpretation Tom Castanos and artisans Carlos Cortes, Adan Cortes, and Cordero Cortes from San Antonio-based Studio Cortes.

More about Studio Cortes: https://www.studiocortes.com/
Photos of the Mission Gate & Lunette unveiling: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlamo/posts/829752839189296
Video from the Mission Gate & Lunette unveiling: https://youtu.be/mQhKagvi_sk?si=PbSO_ER8-qcPjFnC
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 38: Camels At The Alamo

For a brief time in the 1850s, camels roamed and worked the Alamo grounds. It's a remarkable yet lesser recognized piece of history during the time the Alamo served as a critical supply hub for the United States Army as the country expanded west.

Today we reveal why camels were once brought to the Alamo, what was learned from the Army's camel experiment, and how you can see camels make a return to the Alamo later this month, just in time for World Camel Day. Featuring Doug Baum from Texas Camel Corps and the Alamo's former curator Dr. Bruce Winders.

Come to the Alamo for World Camel Day: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/texas-camel-corps
Learn more about the Texas Camel Corps: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063543971347
See photos from the 2023 Camel Day at the Alamo: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlamo/posts/pfbid02YFiCXsTzYDN6nNXdXUtgAZAx57nQtXt1MDqptp6unBfb8KUDrWR8fcgpb8tZnzjRl

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