Kate Rogers Has A Mission — Remember the Alamo!
By Lainey Berkus | Photography by Suzanne Pack
Let me begin my column with a brief history lesson.
The Alamo is the site of a crucial battle during Texas’s bid for independence from Mexico. In search of opportunity, American settlers moved west into the land we now call Texas. In 1835, a revolution in lower Mexico spread into Mexican Texas. Many Settlers joined the revolution and helped blaze a trail for Texas Independence. The Mexican army under Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio on February 23, 1836, and after a 13-day siege and battle, the fort fell on March 6, with all 189 defenders losing their lives. Many of these male soldiers, medics, and military personnel are remembered for their bravery as they fought on this sacred battle site, which is now frequented by 1.6 million visitors eager to learn more about the history of the Alamo.
You might not know that many notable and courageous women were also present during the Battle of the Alamo. They nursed and fed the soldiers, comforted their husbands, protected their children, and were sages to the military leaders making life-and-death decisions.
How did these steadfast women of the Alamo survive the rugged and demanding times in the 1800s, shaped by the challenges of nature, exploration, and settlement?
I know just the woman to ask.
Fast forward to 2024, and another female pioneer is working hard to preserve the Alamo’s legacy for future generations. Meet Kate Rogers, MPA, Ed.D, the Alamo Trust Inc Executive Director. Kate oversees The Alamo Plan, a pivotal effort in preserving and revitalizing Texas’s top tourist destination, the Alamo. This extensive project is structured around preserving the 300-year-old Church and Long Barrack, reclaiming the original mission site and battlefield footprint, and establishing a state-of-the-art Visitor Center and Museum. The vision for the Alamo District encompasses Alamo Plaza, Plaza de Valero, the Paseo del Alamo, and more, merging seamlessly with the River Walk. The new museum, set for a grand opening in 2027, will offer a comprehensive narrative of the Alamo’s history dating back to the early 1700s.
Q: How did women carry their necessities?
“Women played crucial roles in this frontier society, often shouldering the responsibilities traditionally associated with men due to the absence of male family members who were away at war or engaged in other duties. As they agitated the rugged terrain, managed household affairs, or found themselves in battle, they relied on a handbag, not as an accessory but as an essential tool for their daily lives. At first, the frontier ladies would sew multiple-size pockets into their clothing to hold necessities. As the times grew more challenging and dangerous, these women relied on hunting bags, haversacks, and reticules to navigate and thrive.”
Q: What were these bags like?
“One of the most notable types of handbags used by frontier women was the hunting bag. These bags were a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of women who took charge of defending their homes and providing for their families during times of conflict or absence. They were made from durable cloth or animal skins, utilitarian in design, reflecting the practical needs of survival in a primitive world. These bags would carry food items and medical supplies. Hanging outside the bag were bullet bags, measuring tools, and powder horns, essential for ammunition and firearm maintenance. Tools included a powder horn, a powder measure made out of a deer antler for one shot, a small horsehair brush in case the powder got damp, and a pick for clearing out a vent hole on the musket. Fire-making kits, including tinderboxes with charred cloth and plant fibers, flints, and steels, provided the means to start fires for warmth, cooking, and protection”.
“Beyond weaponry and survival tools, hunting bags also contained basic remedies for injuries or illnesses, highlighting frontier women’s self-sufficiency and medical knowledge. These remedies, often derived from local plants and traditional methods, were crucial for addressing health issues in remote frontier settlements”.
“Another type of handbag used was the haversack, also known as the field pack, a general-purpose bag. These bags were versatile and practical, designed to be worn over the shoulder to carry supplies and rations needed for daily life. Made from white linen or sturdy material, haversacks were worn over one shoulder and were essential for gathering food, carrying water, and transporting essential items during travel or exploration. You might say this bag turned into the popular cross-body bag used today”.
“The reticule also had a place in frontier fashion and functionality. Initially, this bag met with controversy due to its resemblance to undergarments, and there was the perception that carrying items in bags was a masculine habit. However, reticules quickly became popular accessories, originally made with simple fabrics to carry money, fans, handkerchiefs, rouge, and playing cards. Today, the reticules are considered the precursor to the modern handbag”.
For more information on The Alamo Plan, visit thealamo.org/support/alamo-plan.
