Restoration or Revision? The Fight Over the Alamo’s New Museum and Visitor Center

UPDATE:

According to the Associated Press, the CEO of the nonprofit managing the Alamo has resigned. This follows a call for her resignation by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick who said he believed her views of the battle at The Alamo conflict with historical fact. In a statement Friday, Kate Rogers said she turned in her resignation on Thursday.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Wants a Resignation Letter from the President of the Alamo Trust

The Lt. Governor wants Trust President and CEO Kate Rogers to resign due to her opinions about the Alamo’s history that were expressed in a doctoral dissertation in 2023. The Alamo Trust manages the historic site.

Patrick Questions Rogers’ View of Alamo History

According to the Texas Tribune, The Lt. Governor wrote a letter to the trust’s board of directors saying, “These writings are incompatible with the telling of the history of the battle of the Alamo. I believe her judgment is now placed in serious question and makes clear she has a totally different view of how the history of the Alamo should be told.” Patrick said he would “continue to defend the Alamo today against a rewrite of history.”

What Did Rogers’ Dissertation say?

Rogers’ dissertation discussed varying opinions regarding the teaching of the history of the Alamo in schools and the historic site. According to the Texas Tribune, the dissertation excerpt posted on social media by Patrick discussed Republican lawmakers' belief that the 1836 battle at the Alamo should be the primary focus. Republican state leaders want the site to remain focused on the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, without politicizing it with other issues.

The Alamo Restoration

The issue of Alamo history comes as the historic site undergoes restoration and expansion. According to KXXV, the $500 million project includes a new museum and visitor center with eight galleries highlighting the history of the Alamo from its beginning through the Battle of the Alamo. There will also be a focus on the Alamo’s importance in Texas history.