Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast

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Safeguarding The Alamo's Artifacts Against Every Scenario Sep 25, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 101: Safeguarding The Alamo's Artifacts Against Every Scenario
From power outages and pipe breaks, to floods and fires: the Alamo, like any museum or cultural site, must be prepared.
We reveal how the Shrine of Texas Liberty safeguards artifacts against the worst-case scenario, what our experts have learned from disasters far and wide, and what you can learn from their best practices. Featuring the Alamo's Head Conservator Pam Rosser, the Alamo's Collections Manager Misty Lanham, the Alamo's Lead Registrar Stephanie Prichard, and The Texas Center's Dr. Don Frazier.
How to help the Texas Hill Country recover from the July 4 flood: https://www.communityfoundation.net
TX-CERA's emergency resources: https://www.txcera.org
FEMA's advice on saving family treasures: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures

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The Texas Centennial Sep 18, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 100: The Texas Centennial
It’s a big day for us at the Alamo Podcast. Not only are we celebrating our two-year anniversary – it's our 100th episode. We are marking the occasion with a special look at the Texas Centennial.
We reveal how the Lone Star State celebrated 100 years of independence, where on Alamo grounds you’ll see symbols of the milestone, and the efforts in Dallas to preserve that critical first century of Texas history. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Historian Ernesto Rodriguez and the Dallas Historical Society's Director of Education David Lee.
Digital copy of book “Monuments Erected by the State of Texas to Commemorate the Centenary of Texas Independence:" https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112040449586&seq=21&view=thumb
More on Dallas Historical Society: https://www.dallashistory.org
Video of Dallas Historical Society's Alamo diorama: https://vimeo.com/679258823
Photos of Dallas Historical Society's Alamo diorama: https://www.dallashistory.org/exhibitions/#1725643784862-5e257fa1-3e9d

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The Republic Of Texas Navy Sep 11, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 99: The Republic Of Texas Navy
The Texas Navy safeguarded the Texas coastline for nearly 10 years - a proud, if lesser known, facet of the fight to forge and maintain a free and independent Texas.
Wee reveal the humble origins of the Texas Navy, the expensive yet effective efforts to bolster the seafaring force, and how a power struggle between its commander and a war-hero president culminated in a voyage to the Navy’s final battle. Featuring author and independent historian Jonathan Jordan.
More on Jonathan Jordan's book "Lone Star Navy:" https://www.amazon.com/Lone-Star-Navy-Shaping-American/dp/1597970530
See photo of Texas Navy uniform plates in the Alamo's collection: https://www.facebook.com/EmilyBaucumSATX/posts/1008157857339963

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The Travis Letter's Journey Home Sep 04, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 98: The Travis Letter's Journey Home
With the Alamo under siege, Lt. Col. William Barret Travis penned a letter to the people of Texas and all Americans in the world. His passionate plea for help is now one of the most treasured artifacts in all of Texas.
We reveal the successful effort to bring the Travis Letter back home to the Alamo, for good: the plans for where to display it, and how its words remain so resonant today. Featuring Alamo Trust, Inc., Executive Director Dr. Kate Rogers; the Alamo's Senior Historian Ernesto Rodriguez; the Alamo's Senior Researcher & Historian Kolby Lanham; and the Alamo's Collections Manager Misty Lanham.
Bonus Rewind Episode ⏮️ "The Travis Letter" - https://youtu.be/88HptwIU1rM?si=uQ9LQKi8POfzCpYY
Watch video from The Travis Letter's 2024 return to the Alamo: https://youtu.be/JRyJkcboY9w?si=toYvTQlMGQ5y-Rah

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What Is A Mission? Aug 28, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 97: What Is A Mission?
Before it was a world-famous battle site, and before it was called the Alamo, the land we know today was a humble Spanish Mission - a place to expand an empire – through faith and education.
We reveal what is a mission: why they moved around, how San Antonio came to have so many, and the legacy of people who called our missions home. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Historian Ernesto Rodriguez.
2025 World Heritage Festival: https://www.worldheritagefestival.org
The Alamo's Mission Days event: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/mission-day
Bonus Rewind Episode ⏮️ "Connecting The San Antonio Missions - https://youtu.be/QJQ2cpWT1Qo?si=g0gwaYkprjjbNO6D

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The Texans & The Comanches Aug 21, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 96: The Texans & The Comanches
The Comanches rode through history on horseback, earning a reputation as formidable foes on the frontier. The Indigenous tribe both served as witness and played an active role in every era of Texas history.
We reveal how the Comanches first encountered Spanish settlers, the part they played in the fight for Texas independence, and how their renowned battle skills led to a warfare game changer. Featuring The Texas Center's Dr. Don Frazier from Schreiner University.
More on Dr. Frazier's book "Frontier Texas:" https://www.amazon.com/Frontier-Texas-History-Borderland-1880/dp/1880510839
Texas State Historical Association article on the Comanches: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/comanche-indians
View photos of the Alamo's Colt revolvers: https://www.thealamo.org/podcast/episode-95

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How Texas Saved Samuel Colt Aug 14, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 95: How Texas Saved Samuel Colt
An impossible gun that could shoot five or six times before reloading. An inventor from Connecticut made it possible at a time when the young Republic of Texas needed weapons.
We reveal why making this impossible gun nearly broke Samuel Colt, and how a Texas Ranger with ideas to make it better reversed his fortunes, saved the business, and secured them both places in Texas history books. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Researcher & Historian Kolby Lanham.
View photos of the Alamo's Colt revolvers: https://www.thealamo.org/podcast/episode-95
Read more on Colt revolvers in Texas: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/colt-revolvers

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Where's The Basement? Pee-Wee's Impact At The Alamo Aug 07, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 94: Where's The Basement? Pee-Wee's Impact At The Alamo
Starting this week, a new treasure goes on display at the Alamo. It’s not a battle weapon or a document. It’s a red Schwinn bicycle made famous by Pee-wee Herman as his unforgettable quest to find his missing bike takes him, of all places, to the Alamo.
We reveal how this bicycle has driven a new generation of visitors to the Alamo, how you can be among the first to see it, and why the Alamo is embracing this piece of Hollywood history. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Historian Ernesto Rodriguez.
CBS News story on the Alamo acquiring the bicycle: https://youtu.be/taywJcv44QA?si=UCr6Jk1CvMxh5u_O
Be the first to see the bike at our Friends of the Alamo preview: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/pop-culture-preview-pee-wees-bicycle
Plan your visit to see the bike at the Alamo Exhibit: https://www.thealamo.org/plan-your-visit/

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Back To School With The Alamo Jul 31, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 93: Back To School With The Alamo
Students and teachers across Texas are in countdown mode, with the new school year beginning in just weeks. Our Education Team here at the Alamo is here to help them get straight A’s.
We reveal how our Education Team spent summer vacation - from taking teachers on historical journeys through Texas and Mexico, to making sure students of all backgrounds have access to the rich history here at the Alamo. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Education Alex Rivard and Texas school teachers Amanda Rasco, Juan Carlos Vasquez, and Zelina Cruz.
The Alamo's Professional Development Programs for educators: https://www.thealamo.org/teach/workshops-for-credit
The Alamo Teacher Institute: https://www.thealamo.org/alamo-teacher-institute
The Alamo's field trip opportunities: https://www.thealamo.org/teach/field-trips

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The New Orleans Greys Jul 24, 2025

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 92: The New Orleans Greys
A simple flag with its gold fringe trim flew at the Alamo during the fateful battle on March 6, 1836. The flag belonged to the New Orleans Greys, a volunteer company that joined the Texas Revolution. Most of its men never lived to see an independent Texas.
We reveal the pivotal role the New Orleans Greys played during the Siege and Battle of the Alamo, how their company flag stands the test of time, and the legacy left behind by their sacrifice for freedom. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Historian Ernesto Rodriguez and Alamo Living Historian Scott Jones.
See New Orleans Greys flag on display in Mexico City: https://www.thealamo.org/fileadmin/assets/support/research_and_studies/new_orleans_greys_flag.jpeg
View artwork featuring New Orleans Greys flag: https://digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll008/id/9460/

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