2017 marked the 181st anniversary of the siege and battle of the Alamo. The anniversary was commemorated with thirteen days of interactive living history programming and special events.
On February 24, we marked the anniversary of the writing of the Travis Letter with a reenactment of this historic moment. This year’s ceremony was a spin-off of the 2016 Ride for Texas History.
After the ceremony, students from Gregorio Esparza Elementary had the opportunity to interact with Alamo staff and volunteers to learn about 19th century letter writing, printing, transportation and more.
Our friends from the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site — the destination of Travis’s letter — brought a period correct printing press to demonstrate how the Travis letter, and other news of the Texas Revolution, would have spread in 1836.
The evening of March 3 a very special after hours event, An Evening With Heroes, offered visitors a chance to experience what would it have been like to be present at the Alamo during the siege leading up to the battle. This event offers participants a candlelit tour of the Alamo grounds after the site is closed to the public and a chance to watch history unfold.
On March 4, we hosted our fourth annual Fiddle Festival. This free annual event takes place on the grounds of the Alamo complex and features western swing, bluegrass, and old time country from world renowned artists including Jason Roberts, Rick McRae, and Ron Knuth.
Unfortunately this year’s event was hampered somewhat by the rain, but our performers played on and a fun — albeit slightly wet — time was had by all!
The commemoration of the anniversary of the 1836 Siege and Battle of the Alamo is always a special time of year. We hope you will mark your calendars and join us for next year’s activities.
Text by, Amelia White, Alamo Digital Marketing and Content Manager
Unless otherwise credited, images by Josh Huskin
