Office of Communications

Contact: Laura Hanna

Director of Communications

Office: (817) 531-4498

lhanna@txwes.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEDICATION FOR TEXAS WESLEYAN COMMUNITY CENTER SET FOR NOV. 21

A historical building at the corner of Rosedale and Wesleyan streets has been given new life, following a $1.2 million renovation of the 5,000-square-foot edifice. From its roots as a commercial property to its more recent use as a scene shop, the building has served many purposes. Now it will host a community center, offices and a dining area. The formal dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at 3021 E. Rosedale St.

The building will be named for Maxine and Edward Lawrence Baker, parents of Wesleyan Trustee Louella Baker Martin. She and husband Nick Martin, Fort Worth philanthropists, have been generous supporters of the University. Ed Baker served as chairman of the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees (Texas Wesleyan College, at that time) and his father, James B. Baker, also served on the board beginning in 1894 (when it was the Polytechnic College Board).

In 1927-1928, the building housed five businesses, two facing Rosedale Street and three facing Wesleyan Street. The first tenants included a dry cleaner, a grocery store, and the First State Bank of Polytechnic. Other tenants included the Polytechnic Herald. It has served as a scene shop for the Theatre Arts Department for more than 25 years.

Congresswoman Kay Granger, Congressman Michael Burgess, State Representative Marc Veasey, and Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks are among the elected officials scheduled to attend the event.

Renovations were made possible thanks to generous donations from the Amon Carter Foundation, Nick and Lou Martin, and other donors. Funding was also provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.