Longtime Alamo caretakers told to vacate property
SAN ANTONIO—The Daughters of the Republic of Texas will pack up its office and other belongings at the Alamo after the new year following the state’s order to take its private chapter business elsewhere.
The chapter lost its exclusive custodianship of the historic property earlier amid allegations of mismanagement.
The San Antonio Express-News reported late Friday that the Texas General Land Office had recently told the group’s Alamo Mission Chapter to vacate the property.
The state agency said in a statement Friday that the group “could no longer store private belongings on state property, or continue to enjoy free, exclusive, long-term use of state property for private chapter business.”
Still, the agency said the move did not reflect any ill will or lack of appreciation for the group’s long service to the Alamo.
Chapter President Sharon Skrobarcek said the state told her the order to clear out had to do with an attorney general’s report released in November that detailed problems with the group’s stewardship of the property. Skrobarcek said the group would pack up its office on the grounds after the new year.
The 106-year-old chapter had already removed decorative items and furniture from Alamo Hall, a building on the grounds. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas has more than 7,000 members in 106 chapters.
The Alamo Mission chapter remains involved with the landmark, but in a reduced capacity since a 2011 law put the General Land Office in charge. Among the changes, the Alamo’s gift shop was outsourced to a private company.
The group will still be allowed to use the Alamo Hall for meetings at no charge because it handles daily operations at the complex. The General Land Office has said it will likely renew its operations contract with the group next year. Tammie Smith, a former member of the group’s statewide board, said the Alamo Mission chapter could have addressed its issues earlier and avoided this outcome.