Happy 100th, Daughters!
Posted on 01/26/2005 4:53:02 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
The icon of Texas independence as their backdrop, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas celebrated 100 years as custodians of the Alamo this afternoon.
Several hundred Daughters, dignitaries and tourists applauded the group's achievements since Jan. 26, 1905, when the Legislature handed over care-taking of the Shrine of Texas Liberty, which was then in a state of disrepair with private developers inching in.
“Your custodial work, your care of this building – you've done one heck of a job,” said Councilman Chip Haass. “Thank you for allowing San Antonio to be a shining star to the state and the nation.”
Under the aggressive leadership of Adina De ZavalaÖ and Clara Driscoll, the DRT, which was formed in 1891 by a group of women concerned with the legacy of their ancestors, took control of the Alamo complex.
Under their care, the buildings have been preserved and kept open to the public without an admission fee or the use of tax dollars.
Last year, 2.3 million visitors toured the Shrine, making it the state's top tourist draw.
Much praised was heaped upon De Zavala and Driscoll, who notoriously were at odds with each other and had spectacular fights. Though the two differed on how the Alamo should be preserved, they both are remembered as its saviors.
“If it weren't for the determination of two women, we wouldn't be here today in front of what has become an international shrine,” said Leonard Cloud, president general of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. “Thank you, ladies, for caring.”
Not long after they were granted custodianship, the job left the Daughters for a brief period of time.
History provides different accounts – some say the group offered the site back to the state ; others say Gov. Oscar Colquitt took it away because of bickering. In 1913, the Texas Supreme Court reinstated the DRT as caretakers.
Current leadership bristles at the theory that Colquitt wrangled power away from the Daughters. “At no time did the state remove control of the Alamo from the Daughters,” said Madge Roberts, chairwoman of the DRT's Alamo Committee, during a speech in today's ceremony.
Roberts pointed out that early Daughters took charge of the Alamo when few women worked outside of the home, yet they managed to convince city leaders to provide free utilities.
“The Daughters were ecstatic and rose to the challenge of restoring the Alamo. The ladies who took this role could not vote,” she said. “We still feel that as we go into our second century of custodianship, the Shrine of Texas Liberty is still in good hands.”
The outdoor ceremony, during which some sought shade under umbrellas because of unseasonably warm temperatures, lasted about an hour and included the reading of a greeting from the governor and a proclamation from the mayor.
The keynote speaker was Roger Williams, who recently was appointed Texas secretary of state.
It was Williams' first speech since accepting the position. He drew parallels between the men fighting for Texas independence and those fighting the current conflict in Iraq.
“We are caretakers of the legend of the Alamo,” he said. “The blood of heroes runs through our veins.”
As its gift to mark their century of caretaking, the Daughters are renovating the Long Barrack Museum, site of the battle's deadliest fighting.
Work will continue throughout the year, as museum exhibits are renovated and modernized. The building will be closed for a time, probably in September, during the intense period of renovation.
The project is due to be completed by Oct. 5, the date in 1905 when custodianship from the state to the DRT was finalized.
Money for the renovation is being raised privately by the Daughters – it is not coming from the Alamo's operating fund.
At the ceremony, a donation of $10,000 was announced from proceeds of the Texas Native specialty plate. Sold for $30 over the cost of regular registration, $22 goes to the Daughters to be used in various state projects.
Also today, two paintings commissioned by historical artist George Nelson were preveiled. Nelson is painting seven works that will replace windows in the Long Barrack.
They'll give visitors a perspective of Alamo Plaza through the years, from 1785 to 1860.
Larry Oaks, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission, commended the Daughters on a century of custodianship.
“It's great to have folks who will hang in and pursue preservation of a building,” he said. “It's the icon of Texas.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- adorsett@express-news.net
Chillbumps when I entered....a sense of history profound.
Alamo Ping!
About 12 years ago I had a chance to visit San Antonio on business and the first thing I had to do was see the Alamo. The heck with the River Walk, the heck with business! I couldn't wait to see the Alamo. I swear I had goosebumps the moment I saw the Alamo.
God Bless Texas!
w00t salute!! The Alamo is truly sacred ground, and anyone who can should go and feel the absolute majesty of this place.
In the southern part of Texas, in the town of San Antone,
There's a fortress all in ruin that the weeds have overgrown.
You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a one,
But sometime between the setting and the rising of the sun,
You can hear a ghostly bugle as the men go marching by;
You can hear them as they answer to that roll call in the sky:
Colonel Travis, Davy Crockett and a hundred eighty more;
Captain Dickenson, Jim Bowie, present and accounted for.
Back in 1836, Houston said to Travis:
"Get some volunteers and go fortify the Alamo."
Well, the men came from Texas and from old Tennessee,
And they joined up with Travis just to fight for the right to be free.
Indian scouts with squirrel guns, men with muzzle loaders,
Stood together heel and toe to defend the Alamo.
"You may never see your loved ones," Travis told them that day.
"Those that want to can leave now, those who'll fight to the death, let 'em stay."
In the sand he drew a line with his army sabre,
Out of a hundred eighty five, not a soldier crossed the line.
With his banners a-dancin' in the dawn's golden light,
Santa Anna came prancin' on a horse that was black as the night.
He sent an officer to tell Travis to surrender.
Travis answered with a shell and a rousin' rebel yell.
Santa Anna turned scarlet: "Play Degüello," he roared.
"I will show them no quarter, everyone will be put to the sword."
One hundred and eighty five holdin' back five thousand.
Five days, six days, eight days, ten; Travis held and held again.
Then he sent for replacements for his wounded and lame,
But the troops that were comin' never came, never came, never came.
Twice he charged, then blew recall. On the fatal third time,
Santa Anna breached the wall and he killed them one and all.
Now the bugles are silent and there's rust on each sword,
And the small band of soldiers lie asleep in the arms of The Lord.
In the southern part of Texas, near the town of San Antone,
Like a statue on his Pinto rides a cowboy all alone.
And he sees the cattle grazin' where a century before,
Santa Anna's guns were blazin' and the cannons used to roar.
And his eyes turn sort of misty, and his heart begins to glow,
And he takes his hat off slowly to the men of Alamo.
To the thirteen days of glory at the seige of Alamo.
God bless Texas
Thanks for posting that (from a lapsed DRT - this reminds me to rejoin!).
Thanks for the post!"Remember the Alamo" ping!
Preservers of Alamo celebrate 100 years
Excerpt:
The icon of Texas independence as their backdrop, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas celebrated 100 years as custodians of the Alamo this afternoon.
Several hundred Daughters, dignitaries and tourists applauded the group's achievements since Jan. 26, 1905, when the Legislature handed over care-taking of the Shrine of Texas Liberty, which was then in a state of disrepair with private developers inching in.
“Your custodial work, your care of this building – you've done one heck of a job,” said Councilman Chip Haass. “Thank you for allowing San Antonio to be a shining star to the state and the nation.”
Under the aggressive leadership of Adina De ZavalaÖ and Clara Driscoll, the DRT, which was formed in 1891 by a group of women concerned with the legacy of their ancestors, took control of the Alamo complex.
Under their care, the buildings have been preserved and kept open to the public without an admission fee or the use of tax dollars.
Last year, 2.3 million visitors toured the Shrine, making it the state's top tourist draw.
Much praised was heaped upon De Zavala and Driscoll, who notoriously were at odds with each other and had spectacular fights. Though the two differed on how the Alamo should be preserved, they both are remembered as its saviors.
“If it weren't for the determination of two women, we wouldn't be here today in front of what has become an international shrine,” said Leonard Cloud, president general of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. “Thank you, ladies, for caring.”
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Texas ping list!. . .don't be shy.
No, you don't HAVE to be a Texan to get on this list!
Whoops! Maybe I shoulda included you in mah ping thar? :^D
It defined America.
I've thought about this several times, but never posted this thought before. The Alamo was equivalent to Texas what 9/11 was to America. Not precisely, of course, but in emotional impact. We rallied, played it smart, and eventually routed the enemy. And we're all better because of what happened there.
Needless to say I was ticked off. I really didn't get to enjoy my trip at all.Maybe next time.
We did go to the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad and the reverence there was as it should be. If you haven't been I highly recommend it.Go in the spring the flowers at the Monument are beautiful.
Some 10 - 12 years ago I was in San Antonio for meetings/conferences, whatever. I recall walking by the Alamo and stopping out front and got an overwhelming sense that I was standing on hallowed ground. An odd feeling since I'm not one of yer sensitive types. I can recall a feeling of almost being unworthy of even being there; these men that defended this place were so large in fact and legend.
FGS
Thanks so much. I haven't heard that for years. My great great grandfather was born around 1836, in the area where Dallas now stands. My grandmother was Cherokee, so my Texas roots go way back. I still get misty at that song.
BTT
A Marty Robbins/John Wayne ping
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