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Post by Hiram on Oct 24, 2012 15:40:38 GMT -5
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 24, 2012 16:02:40 GMT -5
This is fantastic news; many thanks for posting the link. It's hard to believe that this will be the first time the famous letter returns to the place where it was written. Amazing.
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Post by Tom Nuckols on Oct 24, 2012 23:56:37 GMT -5
This is fantastic news; many thanks for posting the link. It's hard to believe that this will be the first time the famous letter returns to the place where it was written. Amazing. The GLO will certainly display it only in the church or long barracks. We don't know exactly where the letter was written, but it likely wasn't written in either of those spots. I think most would agree it was written in the officers' quarters on the west wall. I'm not carping with what Allen said here. Rather, I'm pointing out an opportunity. If the GLO says it's "returning the letter to where it was written," then the GLO must put it in a t-shirt shop or Ripley's outfit on the west side of the plaza. Pointing out that the letter was actually written on the west side of the plaza highlights the fact that the Alamo is more than just the church and long barracks. It provides support for making Alamo Plaza whole again.
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Post by Hiram on Oct 25, 2012 9:25:13 GMT -5
I think we can safely state that the correspondence of Travis during the siege was written in what is known as the Trevino house, which today would be located within the Woolworth Building. Presently located inside that building are Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and the Tomb Raider.
Since the arrival of historian and curator Bruce Winders more than 15 years ago, we have been emphasizing in every history talk that the compound extended far beyond the former church and long barrack. The 45-minute audio tour explains the layout as well as the history of the revolution. Literally, millions of visitors now understand that the Alamo was a compound, not one or two buildings. Since August of last year, we have taken groups of visitors out twice a day to walk the perimeter of the compound as it stood during the 1830s.. Every day we educate the general public as to the details of the revolution (backdrop of a Mexican civil war) and the important connection between Bexar and the Alamo. We provide ample and multiple opportunities for visitors to learn more about this period; including monthly living history events, the annual Fall at the Alamo (2nd week of October), and of course several events during the HHDs.
As for where the letter will be displayed, it will be placed inside the Shrine. It will be more than just “the letter.” Bruce will be putting together an exhibit which will tell the history of the letter, where it traveled, etc. I encourage everyone to mark it on their calendars, get your travel plans in order, and make every effort to view this letter. Obviously everyone on this forum understands the historic significance of it and how important that letter was to the cause undertaken by the people of Texas to retain their political and economic freedom. This is going to be an exciting time for all who have an interest in the Alamo.
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Post by TRK on Oct 25, 2012 12:44:11 GMT -5
We need a "like" button for this kind of news. Congratulations to all who made it happen!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 25, 2012 13:14:41 GMT -5
I was looking for a "like" button myself! This is some of the best Alamo-related news in years. It was not easy to get the letter returned to the Alamo, even for this brief period, and we are in debt to those who made it happen.
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Post by Herb on Oct 25, 2012 13:49:29 GMT -5
I once was pretty sure the Trevino House was where the letter was written, but like almost everything else the more I dig the less definite things appear. Two things raise doubts - one is the fact that the two Mexican lieutenants, left by Cos, were living in the Trevino House. The other one, is that according to the Sutherland map shows Travis lived in the southern Castenada house (north of Ripleys closer to or actually in modern Houston street).
I just don't know that we can definitely conclude Ripleys is the site where the letter was written. I do "think" it is one of these two sites on the west wall, though.
I am glad the letter is returning to the Alamo. It would seem to me that preservationists should be able to design a safe display. It seems to me that the state should design a permanent home for the letter at the Alamo with a secure facility for storage each night. This is one of the great documents of American history. It deserves to be preserved AND displayed.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Oct 25, 2012 14:25:09 GMT -5
I agree. The Alamo should be its permanent home.
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Post by Hiram on Oct 25, 2012 15:01:03 GMT -5
I agree for all kinds of reasons, some of them "selfish." We have signs posted both outside the Shrine and inside and yet every day the guides deal with visitors taking pictures. Having the Travis letter on permanent loan would eliminate that because of the raised level of security. What I mean is at the present time, the guides don't instruct visitors to put away their cell phones or cameras, they just remind them of the rules when violations occur. Once the letter is on display, you can be assured that prior to entering the building ALL recording devices will be shut down and put away. Also, if the letter was there year-round, the Shrine lighting would be dim, just as it was throughout most of its modern history. So what does dim lighting do? It creates a more somber, respectful mood and it helps keep the noise level down.
Beyond these superficial reasons, having the Travis letter on permanent display at the Alamo would allow millions of visitors to make that real connect between the battle and the men who fought it. Reading a letter written by a participant of a famous event not only brings the event to life, it brings that person to life. The majority of visitors know little or nothing about William Barret Travis, the name is just that...a name. Artifacts such as the ring, Travis' English book, and the letter help people understand that this was a real man, who had hopes, dreams, ambitions, and fears.
Herb, personally I put little stock in either of the Sutherland maps. Todd Hansen notes the similarities between these maps and the Everett plat which shows the west wall in 1846 prior to the construction of new buildings by the US Army. I think Sutherland marks the Southern Castaneda house as Travis quarters because it was there and the Trevino house was already gone (according to Everett's drawing.)
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Post by jamesg on Oct 25, 2012 16:55:32 GMT -5
This indeed great news
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Oct 25, 2012 18:36:40 GMT -5
I read the story yesterday and was thrilled beyond description. Like Allen, I was stunned to learn that this letter has never been in San Antonio since it was written in February 1836. It's unimaginable. I'll been next year's HHD gather of the Alamo Society will be something special because of this. "Remember the Alamo."
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Post by Rich Curilla on Oct 25, 2012 19:07:04 GMT -5
I agree for all kinds of reasons, some of them "selfish." We have signs posted both outside the Shrine and inside and yet every day the guides deal with visitors taking pictures. Having the Travis letter on permanent loan would eliminate that because of the raised level of security. What I mean is at the present time, the guides don't instruct visitors to put away their cell phones or cameras, they just remind them of the rules when violations occur. Once the letter is on display, you can be assured that prior to entering the building ALL recording devices will be shut down and put away. Also, if the letter was there year-round, the Shrine lighting would be dim, just as it was throughout most of its modern history. So what does dim lighting do? It creates a more somber, respectful mood and it helps keep the noise level down.
Beyond these superficial reasons, having the Travis letter on permanent display at the Alamo would allow millions of visitors to make that real connect between the battle and the men who fought it. Reading a letter written by a participant of a famous event not only brings the event to life, it brings that person to life. The majority of visitors know little or nothing about William Barret Travis, the name is just that...a name. Artifacts such as the ring, Travis' English book, and the letter help people understand that this was a real man, who had hopes, dreams, ambitions, and fears.
Herb, personally I put little stock in either of the Sutherland maps. Todd Hansen notes the similarities between these maps and the Everett plat which shows the west wall in 1846 prior to the construction of new buildings by the US Army. I think Sutherland marks the Southern Castaneda house as Travis quarters because it was there and the Trevino house was already gone (according to Everett's drawing.) With you 100 percent, Hiram. Can't wait to see Bruce's exhibit along with the letter. Here, all this time, I thought I had seen the original letter in 1986 in the Hall of State in Dallas during the Sesquicentennial. I was sure I even saw something that said so -- because I doubted its originality at first.
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Post by Herb on Oct 26, 2012 9:34:43 GMT -5
[font=Geor Herb, personally I put little stock in either of the Sutherland maps. Todd Hansen notes the similarities between these maps and the Everett plat which shows the west wall in 1846 prior to the construction of new buildings by the US Army. I think Sutherland marks the Southern Castaneda house as Travis quarters because it was there and the Trevino house was already gone (according to Everett's drawing.) [/font][/quote] The more compelling piece arguing against the Trevino House is the two Mexican officers living there. You simply don't allow the enemy to live in your headquarters building. While I agree there are all kinds of problems with the Sutherland map, it does offer what he thought based on his departure on the 23rd it is consistent with his writings. BTW, one piece of "evidence" that very much supports the Sutherland map, in this case, is the probable presence of Juana Alsbury in the Southern Castenada House (see Mark Lemon's article "Where's Juana"). This "coincidence" does seem to verify Sutherland's version of where Travis and Bowie were living (at least on the 23rd). I'm not saying the Trevino House is not a possibility (in fact I was the one that pointed out the probability of Travis writing the letter at Ripleys years ago to Gary Foreman). I'm just saying we can't say it's a historical certainty.
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Post by Hiram on Oct 26, 2012 10:07:34 GMT -5
Herb, I need to be enlightened about the two Mexican officers occupying the Trevino house during the siege. I'm not familiar with that particular account.
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Post by Herb on Oct 26, 2012 10:22:59 GMT -5
I believe it's Jameson's key that mentions it. That and a Mexican colonel that was living elsewhere in the Alamo. When these wounded officers were transferred, or even if, to the arriving Mexican army, I don't have a clue. We've had quite a discussion in the past, I don't recall anything being unearthed.
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