Officials from Tarleton State University handed over the keys to the Dora Lee Langdon Cultural and Educational Center during a ceremonial deed presentation Monday, marking the transfer of the property and facilities to the city of Granbury.

The Langdon Center, established by Tarleton in 1996 as a public arts, culture and educational venue, officially became the city of Granbury’s on July 23 when city and university officials signed documents to transfer the property located one block east of the community’s historic courthouse square.

Granbury’s city council voted Nov. 1, 2011, to approve the initial steps in acquiring the Langdon Center from Tarleton. The Texas A&M University System’s board of regents approved the transfer at its February 2012 meeting.

Tarleton officials cited budgetary considerations as the primary factor in the transfer of the Center, but they added that a transfer of ownership arrangement would ensure a continuing and vital role for the property as a cultural asset to the city.

As part of Monday’s gathering, Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio presented Granbury Mayor Rickie Pratt with a ceremonial gold key.

“The transfer of the Langdon Center to the city will cement for you in many ways music and cultural programming that you’ve come to expect from this place,” said Dottavio. “It’s so important that this facility serves as a front door to your wonderful historic square and that you now have the opportunity to have the historic structures, the greenspace and the cultural arts programming preserved here.

“Tarleton doesn’t intend to walk away. We have valued what it is you have in this city and the partnership you have developed with us and we’ve developed with you,” Dottavio added. “At the end of the day it’s the programming which takes place here that brings vibrancy and quality of life to the community. We are very proud to continue partnering with you and keep Tarleton’s connection here in Granbury and Hood County.”

Dottavio also credited Granbury writers and arts enthusiasts Charles and Dominique Inge, Tarleton Foundation board member Sam McGowan and Granbury Chamber of Commerce President Mike Scott with serving as special advisers to the university in preparing the terms of the donation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Tarleton’s Small Business Development Center will continue to lease space at the Center and Tarleton will provide one employee at the Center.

“This is a monumental moment in the history of Hood County and I want to acknowledge what a great gift this facility is to the city of Granbury,” said Pratt. “It’s my hope that the Center shall continue to give back to our community just as it has served Tarleton in years past. It’s a fantastic facility and a great ongoing quality of life asset for our city, which provides a place where music and art can both thrive. The city of Granbury will carry on that torch and it’s my hope that we carry it on for the next 25 years and far beyond that.”

For more information regarding the Langdon Center and upcoming events, please visit http://www.tarleton.edu/langdoncenter/.