A Gift to Fort Worth
Keith House and commissioned artwork inside are gifts from the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation to the people of Fort Worth.
The Foundation, inspired by the life and legacy of Meta Alice Keith Bratten, formed in 2010 and works to benefit causes close to Meta’s heart such as outdoor spaces, education and the arts.
Described as outgoing, generous and possessing a smile that often conveyed her desire for adventure, Bratten was devoted to her sorority Kappa Alpha Theta at TCU, church St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, family and community. An involved homeroom mother, seamstress, Fort Worth ISD employee and devoted wife and mother, Bratten transformed a modest inheritance from her great uncle Ben E. Keith into the capital that later formed the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation.
Daughter Adelaide Leavens serves as the president of the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation, and under her leadership, $1.7 million was distributed in 2021 to help grow Fort Worth community initiatives. The Keith House has been the focus on all efforts since then.
Keith House began construction in July 2022 in a wooded area in southwest Fort Worth near the Trinity River. The river, called Arkikosa by the people of the Caddo Confederacy and designated La Santísima Trinidad by seventeenth-century Spanish explorer Alonso de León, has been central to the settlement of the city, and today is a beloved green space within a thriving metropolis.
Thanks to the support of Fort Worth developer Cassco and the Edwards family, whose ancestors founded the Edwards Ranch in 1848, Keith House occupies a choice location near the Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork.
It is easily accessible from the Trinity Trails, nearby retail, dining and entertainment venues, and an adjacent parking lot.
Legacy and Inspiration
Interestingly, the building’s facade is constructed of limestone blocks repurposed from a Keith-family home in Wichita Falls. The preservation of history through materials adds to the location’s sentimental value.
Keith House is owned and operated by a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, Entrada of Texas, DBA Keith House. Entrada of Texas was established in 2018 with the mission to expand curiosity and heighten the influence of art by offering the people of Fort Worth compelling contemporary expressions in unexpected settings.
The Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation, established in 2010, enriches the Fort Worth community by supporting outdoor spaces, education, and the arts. Inspired by Meta Alice Keith Bratten’s adventurous spirit and dedication to family and community, the foundation continues her legacy of generosity.
Meta Alice Keith Bratten transformed a modest inheritance from her great uncle, Ben E. Keith, into a substantial philanthropic endeavor. Ben E. Keith, a notable figure in Fort Worth’s history, founded the Ben E. Keith Company, a major food and beverage distributor. The company’s presence and its 350 Fort Worth-based employees continue to be a significant part of Fort Worth’s economy.
Today, the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation, focuses on impactful community initiatives, including the Keith House. This venue serves as a sanctuary for non-profit events and gatherings, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to creating spaces for productivity and contemplation.
Leadership Team
Adelaide Bratten Leavens
Adelaide Bratten Leavens, a proud Fort Worth native, was born to Meta Alice and John Bratten. She attended Fort Worth public schools and excelled in track at Paschal High School. At Texas A&M University, she majored in agricultural economics and lettered in track. Post-graduation, she embarked on a 14-year career in residential real estate appraisal and held administrative roles at Ben E. Keith Company.
In 1999, Adelaide joined Streams & Valleys as Executive Director, transforming it into a broad-based conservation organization. Since 2010, she has served as President of the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation, supporting causes focused on nature, art, and education. Under her leadership, the foundation commissioned a prominent art installation and built the Keith House, a venue for non-profit events, which opened in mid-2023.
Adelaide is passionate about running, having completed over thirty marathons, and enjoys climbing, hiking, and sewing. She chairs the board of the Colorado 14ers Initiative and is involved in numerous community organizations, including the Van Cliburn Foundation and St. Stephen Presbyterian Church. Adelaide’s dedication to community service and philanthropy continues to honor her mother’s legacy through the foundation’s impactful work.
Janelle Montgomery
Janelle Montgomery is the director of Keith House. As a longtime docent at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Montgomery discovered her passion for helping people appreciate art. She earned an MA in Art History from TCU in 2017, and her career includes roles as a curatorial assistant at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, as well as a curator, editor, researcher and writer.
