Alamo's History in Political Crossfire: Traditional "Glory" vs. Inclusive Story of Slavery, Indigenous Roots

The CEO of the Alamo Trust, Kate Rogers, resigned on October 24, 2025, following intense political pressure from Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who accused her of promoting a "rewritten" version of the Alamo's history that conflicts with traditional narratives. Rogers, whose academic paper questioned state education policies and advocated for a broader historical perspective at the iconic site, submitted her resignation after Patrick demanded her removal in a letter to the trust's board. The dispute underscores a national debate over how U.S. history is taught and commemorated, particularly in politically charged environments, according to Fortune.

Patrick's criticism centered on Rogers' 2023 doctoral dissertation, which analyzed the role of historic sites in education and highlighted the Texas Legislature's "conservative agenda" in restricting discussions of race and slavery in classrooms. She also referenced the 2021 book Forget the Alamo, which challenges the traditional hero narrative of the 1836 battle, arguing that Anglo settlers' desire to preserve slavery was a key driver of the Texas Revolution. Rogers expressed hope that the Alamo could become a "beacon for historical reconciliation," but admitted that "politically, that may not be possible at this time," an AP News article reported.

The Alamo, a symbol of Texas independence, draws over 1.6 million visitors annually and is undergoing a $400 million renovation set to open in 2027. Republican state leaders, including Patrick, have pushed for the project to focus narrowly on the 13-day siege against Mexican forces, framing it as "13 Days of Glory." Local officials, however, have advocated for a "full story" that includes the site's Indigenous heritage and the role of slavery—a stance Patrick and others reject as "woke" ideology, according to the Texas Tribune.

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai condemned Patrick's actions as "gross political interference," emphasizing that "we need to get politics out of our teaching of history. Period." The conflict has intensified amid broader Republican efforts to control historical narratives, including recent laws limiting discussions of race in education and Trump-era pressure on Smithsonian museums to downplay slavery, Newsmax reported.

Rogers' resignation follows a contentious social media campaign by Patrick, who shared excerpts of her dissertation on X and labeled her views "incompatible" with the Alamo's legacy. The trust's board quickly replaced her with former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade, though no public statement from the board was immediately issued. Critics argue the move reflects a pattern of Republican leaders ousting individuals over ideological differences, a trend seen in recent dismissals of academics and students at Texas universities, as U.S. News noted.

The Alamo Trust's redevelopment project, a joint effort between the Texas General Land Office, Bexar County, and the city of San Antonio, had previously agreed to "guiding principles" emphasizing "the entire history of the Alamo area." Yet Patrick's letter to the board insisted that the new museum prioritize the battle's "sacrifice for freedom," dismissing broader historical contexts as a "rewrite of history." The trust's board has since pledged to "institutionalize new monitoring systems" for public communications to align with state priorities, according to a Texas Tribune article.

As the 2027 opening approaches, the Alamo remains a lightning rod for debates over historical truth and political influence. With state lawmakers poised to transfer oversight of the site to a new commission in 2027, the question of who controls the Alamo's narrative—and what stories are told—remains unresolved.