The Alamo: Two Years In Review
With more than one million visitors each year, the Alamo is one of the world’s most important historic sites. Its 300-year history tells a story of independence, sacrifice and courage.
By order of the 82nd Legislature, the Texas General Land Office assumed responsibility for oversight of the Alamo in 2011.
These last two years have marked significant changes in the management and master planning of the Alamo, and we will continue to work to make sure the Shrine of Texas Liberty is preserved for future generations.
“The future of the Alamo lies in preserving and protecting its past and expanding the opportunities for sharing the story of the heroes of Texas’ greatest treasure, our Alamo.”
-Commissioner George P. Bush
March 2015
Commissioner Bush reconstitutes the Alamo Endowment Board with a team of Texas titans focused on fundraising for the Alamo’s future. Board appointees included Vice Chair Ramona Bass, Secretary Gene Powell, Treasurer Lew Moorman, Jim Dannenbaum, Welcome Wilson, Jr. and Red McCombs.
April 2015
Commissioner Bush and San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor announce that city and state leaders would team up through a cooperative agreement to direct a collaborative vision for the future of the Alamo Plaza Historic District and the Alamo Complex. While the state owns the Alamo Complex, the city owns Alamo Plaza, making this agreement a critical step in being able to draft and execute a master plan for the area.
June 2015
Cooperation between the state and the city of San Antonio receives a massive boost when the Texas Legislature appropriated $25 million to the GLO for the implementation of the joint master plan and an additional $5 million for restoration and preservation of the Alamo Complex. Gov. Abbot signs this bill in June 2015.
July 2015
The Alamo is named a UNESCO World Heritage site along with four other San Antonio Missions, an honor bestowed upon sites “around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.”
September 2015
Commissioner Bush and local officials vow to make dramatic changes to the Alamo area downtown with the funding the Alamo received from the Texas Legislature.
November 2015
Two more Texas titans join the Alamo Endowment board: Dr. Francisco Cigarroa and Hope Andrade.
December 2015
Commissioner Bush announces the official acquisition of three historically significant buildings across the Alamo Plaza from the Alamo Complex: the Woolworth, Crockett, and Palace buildings. These buildings are part of the original footprint and include the site where Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis, leader of the Alamo’s defenders, penned his famous letters calling for reinforcements in 1836.
January 2016
The Alamo Management Committee issues a solicitation for a master planning team to lead the re-planning, re-imaging, and creative design of the Alamo. More than 250 firms and individuals from across the United States and around the world are reviewed in the extensive search process.
March 2016
The Alamo Management Committee contracts with Preservation Design Partnership (PDP) to lead the Alamo master planning process. The team is spearheaded by nationally recognized thought leader George Skarmeas and preservation planner Dominique Hawkins.
July 2016
The Alamo Management Committee launches the research and discovery phase of work that involves a systematic archaeological study of the Alamo complex grounds.
September 2016
Commissioner Bush names Nancy Perot and Jeanne Phillips to the Alamo Endowment Board.
November 2016
The Alamo Management Committee unveils the preliminary vision of the Alamo Complex to the San Antonio City Council.
February 2017
Commissioner Bush, Sen. Jose Menendez (SD 26), and Rep. Diego Bernal (HD 123) host legislators at the Alamo during the 85th Legislative Session.
Commissioner Bush testifies to members of Texas House and Senate committees, requesting an appropriation for the preservation and restorative care of the church and long barracks to ensure the story of the Alamo will be told to future generations of Texans.
