A comment by an official tasked with leading the Alamo restoration project has some wondering if the historic site is subject to the United Nations.
During a presentation to the Alamo Citizens Advisory Committee earlier this month, Alamo Trust Executive Director Kate Rogers described temporary displays that are to be brought soon to the site, such as an exhibit featuring a historic 18-pound cannon.
When asked why the organization was spending money on temporary exhibits rather than permanent changes, Rogers said it was her understanding that “it had to do with permitting from UNESCO,” referring to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s designation of the Alamo as a World Heritage Site in 2015.
“Since we got our World Heritage Site [designation], there’s certain things we can do in terms of permanent improvements to the site, and certain things that have to be temporary,” she added, noting that the “18-pounder” cannon would later be moved to a permanent exhibit.
A spokesman for the General Land Office, however, says Rogers misspoke.
“Exhibits at the Alamo are in no way controlled, approved, or regulated by UNESCO. Exhibits are being created in close consultation with the Texas Legislature, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and historians across Texas,” GLO Press Secretary Matt Atwood told Texas Scorecard.
“To expedite the creation of the 18-pounder display, the structure was considered temporary in order to comply with various state and local entities’ permitting processes.”
Rogers, a former executive for the Texas grocery giant H-E-B, was brought on as the executive director of the Alamo Trust earlier this year.
