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 fireho ...

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