History
A Gift to Fort Worth
Mrs. Leo S. Lederman, left, Mrs. John E. Bratten, standing, and Mrs. Linwood P. Hudson, right, March 2, 1959. “Tea with Purpose.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. UTA Libraries Digital Gallery. 1959. Used under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License.
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; 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 family inheritance 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 of 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
Photo Credit: Texas Tech University Archives
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.
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.
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.
A portion of Sam Street’s 1895 map of Tarrant County Texas showing L.J. Edwards’s land along the Trinity River. Original at the University of Texas at Arlington Library. Digitized by the University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History.
Entrada of Texas, dba Keith House, is a non-profit organization formed under section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.