Post by billchemerka on Dec 18, 2009 10:06:59 GMT -5
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - ALL MEDIA
San Antonio, Texas ( The Alamo)
ROUTINE PRESERVATION REVEALS HISTORIC “NEW” DISCOVERY AT THE ALAMO
Earlier in November, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas initiated a preservation project inside the Alamo in a room called the “Monks Burial Room.” The well known mother-daughter team of Cisi Jary and Pam Jary Rosser, who together make up Restoration Associates, Inc., were hired to remove a brown stain that had been applied to the walls by a former curator. Once the walls have been cleaned, Jary and Rosser are to stabilize any loose plaster they find.
On Tuesday, November 9, the team found the faint outline of an arch over the doorway leading into the room from the main church. On Wednesday, November 10, the team began removing plaster, stone, and fill material, revealing an arched door dating back to the period of Mission San Antonio de Valero (1755-1793).
The discovery of this previously unknown doorway may reveal a new understanding of the Alamo’s ancient past. For the first time in over 162 years historic graffiti is slowly uncovered, with the date of “1847” clearly visible. The date is important as it marks the U.S. Army’s tenure at the Alamo which lasted until the mid-1870s.
Indications are the Spanish style arch and doorway was still visible at the time of the historic 1836 Battle of the Alamo. This room leads to another in which the Esparza and Dickinson families endured the siege of The Alamo on March 6th, 1836. The archway was likely filled in by the U.S. Army ca. 1850 when it converted the old mission church into a quartermaster depot.
Plans at this time are to leave the arched doorway open if possible. The Daughters of The Republic of Texas are installing a web cam so that anyone can view the archway and actually watch in real-time the preservation project as it continues. To view the web cam when it begins webcasting in late December go to www.thealamo.org
The rooms will be reopened to visitors once the preservation project has been completed.
The Texas Historical Commission has been notified about this find.
Tony Caridi
Director of Marketing & Development
The Daughters of The Republic of Texas (The Alamo)
San Antonio, Texas ( The Alamo)
ROUTINE PRESERVATION REVEALS HISTORIC “NEW” DISCOVERY AT THE ALAMO
Earlier in November, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas initiated a preservation project inside the Alamo in a room called the “Monks Burial Room.” The well known mother-daughter team of Cisi Jary and Pam Jary Rosser, who together make up Restoration Associates, Inc., were hired to remove a brown stain that had been applied to the walls by a former curator. Once the walls have been cleaned, Jary and Rosser are to stabilize any loose plaster they find.
On Tuesday, November 9, the team found the faint outline of an arch over the doorway leading into the room from the main church. On Wednesday, November 10, the team began removing plaster, stone, and fill material, revealing an arched door dating back to the period of Mission San Antonio de Valero (1755-1793).
The discovery of this previously unknown doorway may reveal a new understanding of the Alamo’s ancient past. For the first time in over 162 years historic graffiti is slowly uncovered, with the date of “1847” clearly visible. The date is important as it marks the U.S. Army’s tenure at the Alamo which lasted until the mid-1870s.
Indications are the Spanish style arch and doorway was still visible at the time of the historic 1836 Battle of the Alamo. This room leads to another in which the Esparza and Dickinson families endured the siege of The Alamo on March 6th, 1836. The archway was likely filled in by the U.S. Army ca. 1850 when it converted the old mission church into a quartermaster depot.
Plans at this time are to leave the arched doorway open if possible. The Daughters of The Republic of Texas are installing a web cam so that anyone can view the archway and actually watch in real-time the preservation project as it continues. To view the web cam when it begins webcasting in late December go to www.thealamo.org
The rooms will be reopened to visitors once the preservation project has been completed.
The Texas Historical Commission has been notified about this find.
Tony Caridi
Director of Marketing & Development
The Daughters of The Republic of Texas (The Alamo)
