Conservationists Turn Their Sights to The Alamo

For over three hundred years, the Alamo has been a crossroads for history. Now this shrine of Texas will take center stage at this year’s Historic Preservation Symposium.

By Rhonda FanningFebruary 16, 2015 10:26 am

Originally built to be the church for the mission San Antonio de Valero and later the scene of a pivotal battle in the fight for Texas independence, the Alamo has long been a symbol for Texas’ resilience and spirit.

However conservationists are worried that some of that resilience is starting to crumble. Robert Warden, director of the Center for Heritage Conservation at Texas A&M University, talks about efforts to prevent further limestone loss, estimating about 2 inches of pilaster decay since the 1960’s.

“The big question is whether that material loss is a result of a gradual decay or whether it’s some sort of instant condition that caused that,” Warden said. “We think it’s a gradual decay and we would like to figure out when it when it first started.”

Following this research, Warden will work to develop a database tracking conservation efforts in collaboration with other stakeholders invested in the Alamo’s maintenance.

“The Alamo: Structure of History” will be discussed in detail at the 16th Annual Historic Preservation Symposium starting this Friday at Texas A&M University.

This story was prepared with assistance by Jan Ross Piedad.