Kerr Community Center

Infobox_nrhp | name = Kerr Community Center

---

caption = Kerr Community Center 2008
location = 1308 Walnut Street
Bastrop, Texas, USA
nearest_city =
lat_degrees = 30
lat_minutes = 6
lat_seconds = 31
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 97
long_minutes = 18
long_seconds = 42.7
long_direction = W
built = 1914
added = December 22, 1978
refnum=78003339
governing_body = Kerr Center AssociationThe Kerr Community Center, originally called Kerr Hall, is a community center located in Bastrop, Texas, United States. The hall was a gathering spot for the African-American community of Bastrop during the time of racial segregation in the United States. The structure was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1978.

Kerr Community Center is a two-story wood frame structure built in 1914 by Beverly and Lula Kerr on a lot directly behind their own home. The center hosted social events and artistic performances by black artists such as master blues pianist Roosevelt Williams, known to his fans as "Grey Ghost." During World War II, the structure served as a USO post for the black soldiers assigned to Camp Swift.

Beverly Kerr died in 1941 and Lula Kerr died in 1944. In 1946, some local citizens formed the Kerr Center Association and purchased the building from the Kerr estate. The center had an official dedication in 1952. The building received major renovations that completed in 2007 including a small park and playground.

ee also

*List of Registered Historic Places in Bastrop County

References

* [http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/common/viewform.asp?atlas_num=2078003339&site_name=Kerr+Community+Center&class=2001 Texas Historic Sites Atlas]
*"Holiday Homes Tour". "Bastrop Advertiser", December 1, 2007. pp 14A.