About the Alamo Society
Welcome to THE ALAMO SOCIETY! The Alamo Society is an international organization of historians, researchers, educators, historical interpreters and artists which was founded in 1986, the year of the Texas Sesquicentennial. The members of The Alamo Society are interested in one or more aspects of the Shrine of Texas Liberty, from the Alamo of history to the Alamo of popular culture. The Alamo Society has hosted an annual symposium/meeting since 1986 at various sites around the United States. However, most of the annual gatherings have been in San Antonio, Texas. The official publication of The Alamo Society is The Alamo Journal, a magazine-like tri-annual of research, news and opinion which is published three times year (March, August and December).
"There are certain items that you always look forward to coming through your letter box. The Alamo Journal is one such thing. It is always interesting and usually provocative!"—Phil Collins, author: The Alamo and Beyond: A Collector's Journey
"The Alamo Journal has been an invaluable clearing house for information for Alamo buffs, as well as a frequent source of important primary documentation for scholars and historians. I found it to be of serious importance in my own work and found that editor Bill Chemerka was an equally valuable resource himself, generous, interested, and dedicated to the facts wherever they led."—William C. Davis, author: Three Roads to the Alamo
"The Alamo Journal is one of the publications I most look forward to seeing in my mailbox. Filled with vigorous debate and meticulous scholarship, it is the indispensable publication-of-record for those who share an obsession with the Alamo."—Stephen Harrigan author: Gates of the Alamo
"The Alamo Journal reminds me how great it is to have a publication that binds together the various people who are interested in a certain subject. The Alamo is a special case in point. It has a mystique or nebulous quality that makes the amateur scholar almost on par with the professional historian. We’re all in this together, and we keep in touch with each other through The Alamo Journal. I have thoroughly enjoyed my contact with members of The Alamo Society."—Walter Lord (1917-2002) author: A Time to Stand
"I always enjoy the continuing scholarship and research in The Alamo Journal. Who says history is dead and dry? Interest in the deeds that took place in 1836 will continue to intrigue and fascinate all men and women who love freedom. Long live the Alamo on the pages of history and in our hearts."—Fess Parker, star of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier
"The Alamo Journal is a historical review of the events, people and equipment that are related to the siege. But it is more than that. It is an ongoing expose of all that is the Alamo legend. Fact and myth, testimonies and movies, books and artwork; it is all included. And if you ever had an interest in the glory days of Texas’ fight for independence, this society is for you."—Mark Baker, Primitive Editor: Muzzleloader Magazine
William Chemerka founded The Alamo Society in 1986. He was the publisher-editor of The Alamo Journal from 1986 to 2014.
Chemerka is an award-winning educator, lecturer and writer. He was a multiple honoree of Who's Who Among American Teachers, among other awards. Chemerka has been an on-camera consultant for such History Channel productions as The Real West, Frontier: The Decisive Battles, Boone and Crockett: The Hunter Heroes, Wild West Tech, Live From Austin: The Story of Davy Crockett, the What Went Down and the America's Book of Secrets series. He has also appeared on the BBC, C-SPAN's Book TV and was a writer for the Emmy-nominated History Channel production First Invasion: The War of 1812. Chemerka also wrote the screenplay for the docudrama "The Battle of Bunker Hill."
Chemerka is the author of the Alamo Almanac and Book of Lists, The Davy Crockett Almanac and Book of Lists, Alamo Anthology: From the Pages of the Alamo Journal, Music of the Alamo: From 19th Century Ballads to Big-Screen Soundtracks (with Allen J. Wiener), Gregorio Esparza: Alamo Defender, C. C. and the Alamo Cats, Juan Seguin: Tejano Leader, The Alamo from A to Z, Fess Parker: TV's Frontier Hero and the forthcoming Davy Crockett from A to Z.
He has written and performed original songs about the Alamo at the Alamo and at annual Alamo Society symposiums. His original tunes appear on the CD At The Alamo and on the CD that accompanies Music of the Alamo: From 19th Century Ballads to Big-Screen Soundtracks.
Chemerka a member of the Screen Actors Guild, appeared in Alamo...The Price of Freedom and Houston: The Legend of Texas, among other films over the years.
Texas Monthly called Chemerka "the Google of Alamo buffs."