Texas A&M’s Quest to Save an Alamo Cannon: A Journey of Preservation

The Alamo, a symbol of Texas's rich heritage, houses numerous artifacts from its illustrious past. Among these, an 18th-century bronze battle cannon has recently become the focal point of a significant preservation mission led by experts from Texas A&M University's Department of Anthropology. This initiative gained attention through an episode of "Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast," hosted by Emily Baucum.

The project was initiated by Alamo Senior Researcher and Historian Kolby Lanham, who sought the expertise of Dr. Christopher Dostal, an assistant anthropology professor at Texas A&M, and Kimberly Breyfogle, a PhD student in the Nautical Archaeology Program. Dr. Dostal’s extensive experience with underwater archaeological artifacts, especially cannons, made his team a suitable choice for this task. Dostal also directs the Conservation Research Laboratory at Texas A&M, further emphasizing the lab's experience in dealing with similar artifacts.

Unusual Preservation Challenge

This particular bronze cannon, cast in Mexico and having participated in multiple battlegrounds—including the Battle of Medina (1813), the Battle of Concepción (1835), and the Battle of the Alamo (1836)—faced an unusual issue: a white, chalky substance had begun appearing on its surface, a phenomenon unseen in counterparts. This prompted Dostal and Breyfogle to investigate further.

The team spent over a year and a half determining that the substance likely resulted from chemicals applied during conservation processes in 2008 and 2019 around the cannon, forming the chalky residue seen now. To verify this theory, Dostal and Breyfogle replicated the cannon’s material composition and employed similar preservation treatments on newly created bronze blocks.

They deduced that a dilute solution of formic acid was effective in eliminating the chalky deposits without harming the metal. The application was demonstrated using a tennis ball on a stick, which made the problematic substance dissolve almost upon contact, a development that both the research team and podcast host Emily Baucum found remarkably satisfying.

Dostal emphasized that preventing the substance’s buildup was critical not merely for visual presentation but due to its unknown long-term impacts on the artifact.

Broader Implications of Preservation

The project underscored the ongoing necessity of artifact preservation at the Alamo. Without these efforts, as Lanham noted, the site's valuable stories and artifacts might be diminished to mere objects in an old building. The expertise and diligence of the Texas A&M team do more than preserve objects; they maintain crucial historical connections.

The team's preservation work, performed during regular museum hours, provided educational benefits by inspiring the next generation of historians and conservationists. Lanham suggested that merely observing the team's efforts might steer some students toward careers in history and preservation.

Extended Conservation Projects

Beyond the Alamo, Texas A&M's conservation expertise extends to other historical artifacts. Breyfogle is examining acid reactions in conserved materials from the endangered 17th-century shipwreck La Belle, while Dostal and his team address multiple other projects, including work on the Revolutionary War gunboat Philadelphia and several 18th-century shipwrecks and canoes. Regardless, the significance of preserving the Alamo cannon is exceptionally profound.

Dostal reflected that the stories we preserve define communities. The Alamo's artifacts serve as physical testimonials of storied pasts and represent vital links to our collective heritage. Through diligent conservation, the Texas A&M team ensures these historical narratives remain tangible and relevant.

Earlier, SSP wrote that the replica of 11,000-year-old house to be constructed in York's Museum Gardens.