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ABOUT US

Mattie Bell Stanford

Stanford House exists today thanks to a generous donation from Mattie Bell Stanford.

Mattie left her estate for the construction of Mattie Bell Stanford House for Senior Citizens of Gainesville located at 401 W. Garnett St.

The Stanford House opened on February 23, 1992, and was built with funds from the Mattie Belle Stanford Charitable Trust.

Born on March 2, 1892, Mattie Belle Stanford was a former teacher and Gainesville resident who, in the last days of her life, told friends she wanted to build a senior center.

Mattie reportedly told friends she wanted to bequeath the money to build the center because she loved the people of Gainesville and Cooke County and wanted them to have a place all their own.

Mattie died on November 29, 1988 not getting to see the House completed.

As a 501 C 3 Organization, Stanford House provides services to active area seniors at no charge. We rely upon grants, donations, gifts-in-kind, venue rentals, and fundraising to operate. 

Cooke County Area Active Seniors have been enjoying fun, travel, fitness, entertainment and health programs hosted by the Stanford House since 1992. It is open to anyone aged 55 + and there is a wide array of activities, most at no charge. Some of the activities at Stanford House include inside walking and exercise classes, table games, dominoes and cards, weekly breakfast and bingo, health and wellness checks, line dancing, quilting, arts and crafts, volunteering, trips and travel via motor coach, community events and meetings, holiday events, socialization, and much more.