Baker Building Dedication

Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

The Maxine and Edward Lawrence Baker Building was dedicated on Friday, Nov. 21. This 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 building is 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).

Congressman Michael Burgess, Congresswoman Kay Granger, and Louella Baker Martin

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.

University President Harold Jeffcoat	State Representative Marc Veasey
Fort Worth City Councilman Frank Moss	Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks

The Baker Building includes a coffee shop, Java Joe's, named in honor of Joe Brown, professor of speech and theatre at Texas Wesleyan. Brown has been a dedicated teacher, mentor, and friend of students at Texas Wesleyan for 30 years.

Professor Joe Brown

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.