The Alamo and Phil Collins: See the musician's collection of artifacts

A musket-firing demonstration by members of the Alamo's Living History staff is presented twice a day Fridays through Sundays at the Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio.

The new Ralston Family Collections Center is the first building constructed on the Alamo grounds since the 1950s. It houses about 500 Alamo artifacts, including the Phil Collins Collection.

Ernesto Rodriguez, senior curator and historian at the Alamo in San Antonio, discusses some of the 500 artifacts on display at the new Ralston Family Collections Center.

British rock star Phil Collins donated his personal collection of Texas Revolution artifacts to the Alamo in San Antonio, some of which are on display at the new Ralston Family Collections Center.

A sword and scabbard used by Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna on display at the Ralston Family Collections Center in San Antonio. The items were donated to the Alamo by British rock star Phil Collins.

A buckskin vest worn by Davy Crockett on display at the Alamo's new Ralston Family Collections Center in San Antonio. Crockett died defending the Alamo in 1836.

Rifles used by Davy Crockett on display at the new Ralston Family Collections Center at the Alamo in San Antonio. Crockett died in the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.

A statue of Davy Crockett stands in front of the Alamo Church in San Antonio. The legendary American frontiersman and folk hero died in the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.

A guide at the Alamo's Living History Encampment in San Antonio demonstrates how cannons were loaded during the 1836 Battle of the Alamo.

The Alamo's Long Barrack, which dates to 1724, originally housed Spanish missionaries and later served as a shelter for Alamo defenders during the 1836 battle.

Built in 1731, Mission Concepción is the oldest unrestored stone church in America. It is one of five Spanish missions along the San Antonio River that comprise Texas' only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cyclists explore the grounds of the Mission San Juan, one of five historic Spanish missions near the San Antonio River.

Mission Espada, the southernmost mission in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, is 8.5 miles south of downtown San Antonio.

Cyclists ride on a bike path next to a quiet stretch of the San Antonio River south of the city.

San Fernando Cathedral overlooks the main plaza in downtown San Antonio. Built in the mid-18th century, it is one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States.

The ashes of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis who died in the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, are believed by some to be entombed in a marble coffin at the entrance to San Fernando Cathedral in downtown San Antonio.