This story has been updated.
San Antonio-based petroleum refiner Valero Energy Corp. gave $5 million to sustain educational and preservation work at the Alamo, officials announced last week.
On Monday, May 1, they announced another large gift: $1 million from the Greehey Family Foundation.
The Alamo Trust Inc., which oversees Alamo operations and the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Alamo Plaza, will recognize the Valero gift to the Remember the Alamo Foundation by naming the “cornerstone” gallery in the future museum and visitor center the Valero Battle of the Alamo Gallery, according to a news release.
In honor of the Greehey gift, the garden in front of the Alamo Church, which is to be widened and enhanced as part of the Alamo Plan, will be named the Greehey Family Garden.
The $150 million museum and visitor center — which will be located in retrofitted historic buildings across Alamo Plaza from the historic Spanish mission church — is slated to open in 2026.
“Valero’s contribution is deeply appreciated,” stated Kate Rogers, executive director of Alamo Trust. “This donation, made possible by the steadfast support and leadership of Valero will play a significant role in helping us sustain our efforts in safeguarding the historical and cultural essence of the Alamo.”
Bill Greehey, the founding CEO of Valero and president of the Greehey Family Foundation, said the additional $1 million gift was “especially meaningful” given that the inspiration for Valero’s name came from the Alamo.
“When we spun off the former LoVaca Gathering Company from Coastal States Gathering Company, we decided to move the headquarters from Houston to San Antonio and we named the new company Valero in honor of Mission San Antonio de Valero, the original name of the Alamo,” Greehey said in a statement Monday.
Officials have said the redevelopment will highlight the rich history of the site, including the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, the indigenous people who lived there long before and the struggle for civil rights that came generations after.
“The Valero Battle of the Alamo Gallery will provide visitors with a thorough and enlightening account of the siege, battle and aftermath of the event that occurred during the Texas Revolution,” the press release stated.
“The gallery’s goal is to honor and commemorate the exceptional bravery and courage of the Texians, Tejanos and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in this pivotal battle while offering a deeper understanding of the historical context and significance of this critical moment in Texas history.”
The Greehey Family Garden will feature native plants from Texas, such as bluebonnets, to provide visitors with a more genuine representation of the region’s agricultural landscape.
The Alamo Trust and the City of San Antonio still face an eminent domain case that stands in the way of the museum and visitor center. The owner of Moses Rose’s Hideout bar, just around the corner from Alamo Plaza, rejected the city’s $5.26 million “final offer” to purchase the bar property last week.
In January, City Council voted to approve the use of eminent domain to seize the property if negotiations broke down.
The announcement of Valero’s gift comes as tens of thousands gather in and around downtown Friday for the 132nd anniversary of the first Battle of Flowers Parade.
The parade, one of the oldest and largest in the nation and a centerpiece for the city’s Fiesta celebrations, honors those who fought in the Battle of the Alamo and San Jacinto for Texas independence.
Valero and the Alamo Trust are financial supporters of the San Antonio Report. For a full list of business members, click here.
