The Baker Center, which was previously housed in Hoskins Library, opened in 2003 with the goal of becoming one of the nation's leading institutions integrating archives, research, and outreach in the service of public policy and public affairs.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the center's new $17 million, 53,000-square-foot facility at 1640 Cumberland Ave. was held in November 2005, and construction began shortly thereafter.
The new facility includes a museum that tells the story of how government works using Senator Baker's life as a backdrop. The museum also explores modern Tennessee politics and engages students and adults in interactive civic exhibits. The building houses the Modern Political Archives, which hold more than 100 collections of political papers from prominent Tennessee leaders. The center also has a 200-seat auditorium for programs, as well as classrooms with break-out rooms for instruction and conferences.
"The building will showcase and enhance the Baker Center's work, making it an even greater asset to our university and our community. It will provide an elegant, state-of-the-art venue for public programming. And, in the museum, students will be able to see for themselves how government works and the important part citizens must play in order to maintain and help democracy thrive," Baker Center Executive Director Alan Lowe said.
A $100,000 state Community Enhancement Grant helped with last-minute enhancements to the new building's museum and civic education programs.
For more information about the Baker Center, see lt;http://bakercenter.utk.edu/main/gt;./>
