Why Are No Photographs Allowed Inside The Alamo?

To begin, I have never been to Texas. However, my girlfriend and I were randomly discussing photography, and she recalled a trip to the Alamo. In that recollection, she remembered that upon entering inside another visitor was sternly being confronted by two members of the security staff because the visitor took a photo inside.

Well this didn't affect her decision enough at the time and she felt bold enough to snap her own photo. The flash, was seen by the security staff and they didn't see where exactly the flash came from and were visually probing visitors avidly to find the culprit that snapped the picture.

She remembers that they were very adamant in finding the person, enough that she felt the need to stuff the camera in the in-seam of her pants so that her shirt covered it.

So after hearing her story my ATS instinct kicked in and I decided to research this "No Photography Allowed" policy at the Alamo.

This is the answer to that question according to TheAlamo.org's FAQ section.

Why are no photographs allowed inside the Alamo?

The Alamo, like many other museums, asks patrons to not photograph exhibits for several reasons. Repeated exposures to camera flashes fade certain types of artifacts. Additionally, the Alamo church has been designated a shrine by the State of Texas and as such is a place of reverence and reflection.

Well I don't know about you, but that's only two reasons, where are the rest of the reasons? I always took "several" as being more than two.

Then I found that it's not just the Alamo, but very common in a lot of museums.
According to Museum photography on Wikiversity:

Authorization and equipment limitations

The position of museums as regards photographers varies over a large spectrum, but is generally characterized by at least some defiance, or even open hostility, up to downright banning.

Some museums forbid any form of photography. There is no need to argue in this case, since the personnel have orders and rules to enforce, have no say in the elaboration of said rules, and will throw you out if you don't comply with their orders.

Most museums which do not prohibit photography per se do so under the condition that you use no flash. The interdiction is justified by

* preserving the comfortable experience of other patrons whose visit might be compromised by your flashing photographic strobe lights,
* the possible deterioration caused by the broad spectrum, instantaneously powerful flash energy

Not sure if there is a conspiracy theory in the photography policy of museums or not. It does seem they're a bit harsh with the policy in some cases.

The FAQ also states that "the Alamo church has been designated a shrine...". I can't understand why that fact has anything to do with it being photographed or not. The same should be said for the outside of the structure as well then. If it's a shrine, then it should be all encompassing, not just on the inside.

As I was scanning their FAQ's I came across this, which I commonly see mentioned on ATS and thought why not add it to the post. I personally never knew this about the Alamo, but it got my ATS juices flowing, if you will.

Who Were The Masons?

The Masons belong to a fraternal organization whose membership has included many famous founders of both the United States and Texas.....

Masons at the Alamo included James B. Bonham, James Bowie, David Crockett, Almeron Dickinson, and William B. Travis.

Masons continued to play a significant leadership role in the Republic of Texas. According to The New Handbook of Texas (2:1169):

"Although constituting only about 1% of the population [of Texas], Masons filled some 80 percent of the republic's higher offices. All of the presidents, vice presidents, and secretaries of state were Masons."

(The above excerpt is sourced on the website at the bottom of the FAQ's.)

Viewing this information, combined with the above no photo policy, a conspiracy? Not sure, either way, I deemed it worthy of a thread.

Thank you in advance for reading and any replies, as always, are appreciated.

I think you did a great job researching this but I don't think you have a valid conspiracy. Do I think there are other mysteries at the Alamo... absolutely! I believe Crockett to have been a smart man... and the attach of the Alamo.. well.. REVOLUTIONARY!

Since you have not been to the Alamo.. I suggest you go. Pee Wee Herman's bike could not have been in the basement... there is not a basement!

The hotels in and around the Alamo are on Alamo Property that was "bought" for the city of San Antonio. These are said to be haunted! But that is another thread.

True most museums don't allow you to take photos. This can be done also so that they make money by people coming to the attraction... "BUT THE ALAMO IS FREE.." well .. they have a gift shop.. and if you can get pictures off the internet then you don't go to the gift shop.

Other things you can look up is the 666 on the front of the Alamo.
The history of Crockett which the whole downtown of San Antonio is based on.

Source - I live in San Antonio!

Uuhmm...

Being an employee at a museum myself I can confirm that strong flashes can eventually fade delicate objects, such as paintings, very old cloth found in banners or uniforms, etc. You know how sunlight fades bright coloured surfaces, don't you? A xenon flash is much stronger than the sun. Of course, the flash from a camera doesn't last long, but if you have a million visitors or so over a year and the exhibit is up for display for an unlimited time, the math will not be so hard to do. Nothing strange with that, nothing at all...

And for the case of a palce being considered a "shirne", it's just a case of manners and respect. Maybe those who have come to find some peace of mind and reflect over life doesn't want a lighting storm ruining the mood?
It's just a matter of respect.

The Mason side of this is more of interest. Maybe that is where you should dig deeper?

Take care
/Raud

How else are museums going to get you to buy postcards, photo books, and calendars in the Gift Shop if everyone can just take their own pictures?

It's a conspiracy of........ trying to maintain a profit.

I tried to find a picture of Ozzy outside of the Alamo.

No luck.

Only found mug shots heheh

There's no reason to think that allowing photographs would put much of a dent in gift sales. Most people who might be interested in a photo book (or for that matter, a mug, squished penny, ugly tie, overpriced coaster, tiny spoon, historical BBQ sauce, etc.) probably know that they aren't professional photographers and would be happy to purchase one.

When I lived in London, I visited the British Museum quite often, which is free. I even used it as a shortcut when walking sometimes. I bought a few items in the gift shop there, and so do many people, despite the fact that many areas of the museum allowed photography. The Louvre is another example of a museum where photography is permitted, and I'm sure the volume of goods sold in their gift shop is among the highest out of any museum.

As to the Mason connection, I think there are quite a lot of places associated with famous Masons, as well as Masons nobody's heard of, where one can enter and take photos. Independence Hall in Philadelphia comes to mind.

I think Raud summed up the most likely explanations above.

[edit on 3/8/10 by articulus]

No photography is pretty common place in every art gallery and museum i have ever been in. I once saw a documentry which showed how the paintings on display were effected, and it was quite an eye opener. If I remember what it was called I'll post a link.

The strangest place I was asked not to take a photograph was the channel tunnel between England and France. I asked a staff member why this rule was in place, because I thought it very odd. According to the staff member there are sunsors either in the carridges of the tunnel itself which mistake a camera flash for the flash of an explosion.

Happy snapping everyone!

Tim