Pam Konopka has her fingerprints on Texas history, both literally and figuratively. Not only has she had the unique experience of going piece- by - piece through the dusty artifacts in the curator’s vault at the Alamo in San Antonio, but she designed and led a total makeover of Alamo Memorial Hall last summer. Directing more than a hundred volunteers from the Daughters and Children of the Republic of Texas, she transformed the hall into a warm and inviting room for meetings. The artifacts had to be carefully chosen and researched before being displayed for the many historical, patriotic and educational groups which use the building for meetings and ceremonial events.

Pam is a native Texan, raised in Abilene and Eula (just a few miles east of Abilene). She moved to Burnet in ‘98 and married Tom Konopka the next spring. They share 3 beautiful children: Billie, Braden and Brandy. Pam currently works as a set and show coordinator in various cities around the U.S.

This particular project started with Pam’s mother, Roxanne Schoen, who is a long time history buff. Her enthusiasm was infectious and now most of her family shares her interests in Texas history. Mrs. Schoen herself serves as a board member for the Daughters on the Republic of Texas (DRT). At a dinner meeting of the DRT last spring, members observed that the memorial hall really needed a fresh coat of paint. Mrs. Schoen knew of the perfect person for the job and, as mothers do, raised her daughter’s hand. Pam readily agreed to head the project. When she first saw the interior of the old Alamo Hall, she noticed dingy, white walls, almost yellow in spots, and a beautiful portrait of Clara Driscoll, the young lady who almost single-handedly saved the Alamo from being sold to a hotel chain in 1930. Pam chose the colors for the walls from the painting; they were rich, earthy tones with a Spanish feel.

Alamo Hall was built in 1922 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as a firehouse for the city of San Antonio when the DRT’s custodianship grew parcel-by-parcel to include the entire 4.2-acre block, the fire station was pressed into service as the DRT Library. After a new library was built in 1950, the building (by then known as Alamo Memorial Hall) was used as a meeting center. By the spring of 2009, it was badly in need of a facelift.

The DRT is non-profit organization, and there was no budget (apart from private donations) for this renovation. When Pam returned from the Alamo, her first order of business was to contact Sherwin Williams. The company was eager to help with such a wonderful project, donating not only the paint but all related supplies. “Without their donation,” Pam says, “this project would have never happened so quickly.” Home Depot also came through with a grant to help renovate the building.

With able and enthusiastic assistance from Melba Stout (4th Vice President of the DRT), Pam pored through artifacts in the DRT curator’s vault for just the right additions for this room. One of the most striking is a chandelier which hung in Clara Driscoll’s home. Antique furniture was carefully placed throughout the hall and adjoining rooms. Curtains had to be replaced as well as tile, appliances, light fixtures, sinks… Without the help of a very generous family (the Cheevers), this project would have taken much longer, as well.

Literally hundreds of eager volunteers from far and wide made their time and talents available and donations came in from DRT chapters all around Texas. Pam explains, “This is the most amazing organization I’ve ever been a part of. I have never been so proud to have my mom raise my hand. Seeing those men, women, and children come together to make the building beautiful once again was humbling. AND who else can say they set off the fire alarm TWICE in one day at the Alamo? Just to be clear- I was sanding the walls but, boy can those Alamo Rangers run across that courtyard fast.” Pam stayed most nights at the Crockett Hotel across the street, but her mom and the kids would come often from Burnet to “help, paint, and wreak havoc” during the summer-long project.

The completed project was unveiled at a gala “Peaches and Cream Reception” September 3, which included remarks by Texas State Senator Jeff Wentworth and the ceremonial re-hanging of the Clara Driscoll portrait by Melba and Pam. Also, the local businesses that aided in this project were recognized and thanked during the festivities.

Pam will once again be honored for her work at the DRT’s Christmas party December 8. The sentiment is unanimous; it was a job well done, and Texas has another historic shrine of which Texans can be very proud of.