The organization supporting the Alamo’s preservation announced Friday a $5 million donation from the Mays Family Foundation that is going to the site’s new museum.
The Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, which will be constructed on Alamo Plaza and incorporate the historic Woolworth and Crockett buildings, will include an exhibition space that will be named the Mays Family Legacy Gallery, Alamo officials said.
The gallery will feature representations of the Alamo in film, literature and art, and explore ways that the site’s history has established itself in both pop culture and global culture, according to a news release.
Kathy Mays Johnson said her family hopes the gallery “serves as a beacon of learning and inspiration.”
“As eighth-generation Texans, our family’s roots run deep in the heart of Texas, tracing back to William Roebuck,” she said. “His son, James Mandred Roebuck, was a testament to our family’s enduring commitment to this state, having received a land grant for his military service to the Republic of Texas in 1838.
“With this legacy in mind, we are profoundly honored to support the Remember the Alamo Foundation. This contribution is a tribute to our ancestors and a commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of Texas history.”
The $150 million museum and visitor center is slated to open in 2027. It’s part of a roughly $500 million redevelopment of Alamo Plaza that will highlight the history of the Alamo, including the 1836 battle, the Indigenous people who lived there long before and the struggle for civil rights that came generations later.
“This generous donation will aid in bringing the rich history of the Alamo to life, allowing its significance to be appreciated by all who visit,” said Kate Rogers, executive director of the Alamo Trust, of the Mays family’s gift to the Remember the Alamo Foundation.
The museum received another $5 million gift earlier this year from San Antonio-based petroleum refiner Valero. The Texas Legislature allocated $400 million for the overall Alamo redevelopment in its budget passed earlier this year.
In August, the Texas General Land Office, Alamo Trust and City of San Antonio resolved an eminent domain dispute by agreeing with a bar owner near Alamo Plaza on the sale of his property. The city had sued to take the bar, which the Alamo Trust said was needed to make room for the visitor center and museum, and ultimately paid Moses Rose’s Hideout owner Vince Cantu $6.75 million for it.
The Alamo Trust and Valero are financial supporters of the San Antonio Report. For a full list of business members, click here.
