ABU’s Role in Preservation
Arlington Baptist University (formerly Bible Baptist Seminary) acquired the Top O’ Hill Terrace in 1956 as the site for its new school. The leadership at the time made the controversial decision to place their school on the site of a notorious den of vice to reform the areas image into a place where one could learn the word of God. They also felt it important to preserve the history of the location, and in 1960, the site was a museum. What makes ABU so important to this collaboration is their ties to the story and their role in preserving Top O’ Hill since its closing. This preservation effort is led by Vickie Bryant, Top O’ Hill’s resident historian.
Pictured to the left is a preserved roulette wheel at Top O’ Hill. This wheel represents the many artifacts from the casino that have been preserved by ABU. Through preservation of artifacts, people can physically connect with history, allowing for a better understanding of the past.
Pictured to the right is the Tea Garden at Top O’ Hill. ABU’s ownership of Top O’ the Hills location means that their preservation of the site itself is paramount. Beyond basic grounds keeping, the age of the site also means they must work on the structural integrity of the site.
