In a new episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie interviews Emily Baucum, communications leader at The Alamo, about one of the most ambitious historic preservation projects in the United States. The Alamo, a 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, is being reimagined through a $550 million public-private investment as a world-class cultural campus that expands education, accessibility, and economic impact in downtown San Antonio.
The Alamo is owned by the people of Texas, managed by the Texas General Land Office, and operated daily by Alamo Trust, Inc. This stewardship structure ensures statewide accountability while allowing on-the-ground management. Baucum noted that the Alamo attracts international visitors from Europe, Asia, and Australia, drawn by its global significance as an American and Texas story.
The Alamo Plan rests on three pillars: preservation of the Alamo Church and Long Barrack, the last surviving structures from the mission era and the 1836 battle; reclaiming the historic battlefield footprint, a four-and-a-half-acre compound that had been overtaken by commercial development; and building a world-class visitor center and museum, set to open in late 2027 with eight galleries covering 300 years of Texas history. This vision frames the Alamo as a complete historical landscape shaped by Indigenous peoples, Spanish colonists, Mexican history, the Texas Revolution, and modern preservation.
Ongoing archaeology continues to shape the site. Recent excavations near the Long Barrack uncovered more than 250,000 artifacts, including musket balls, weapon fragments, and Spanish mission-era flooring. These discoveries influence construction plans and deepen understanding of daily life at the site. Baucum emphasized that for many visitors, the Alamo is the only place they will see active archaeologists at work, bringing history to life for children and adults alike.
The transformation of Alamo Plaza into a walkable, educational public space includes the Mission Gate & Lunette, an artistic interpretation of the Alamo’s southern fortifications; Plaza de Valero, a $20 million community park and performance space; and the Promenade, which converts former vehicle streets into pedestrian pathways with interpretive panels and public art. Later this spring, the Paseo del Alamo will reopen, reconnecting the Alamo with the San Antonio River Walk, linking the state’s most visited destination with a major city attraction.
Education remains central to the mission. The Ralston Family Collection Center, opened in 2023, displays more than 500 artifacts, many never before seen publicly. In 2025, the Texas Cavaliers Education Center will open, providing dedicated space for student learning and field trips. The forthcoming Visitor Center and Museum will feature immersive exhibits and an event space for up to 700 people with panoramic views of the San Antonio skyline and the Alamo Church.
As downtown San Antonio grows with new sports, convention, and cultural investments, the Alamo serves as a stabilizing anchor and economic catalyst. Baucum noted that preserving the Alamo well means making it accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for future generations. The full episode is available on YouTube as part of The Building Texas Show.
