On October 3, 1950, Carter informed the City of Fort Worth of his intention to "erect and equip" a museum and present it to the city. In 1951, the Amon G. Carter Foundation purchased a portion of the museum’s future site to protect the land from commercial encroachment. Following Amon Carter’s death in June 1955, his last will and testament empowered the foundation to provide for a museum to house his art collection and "be operated as a nonprofit artistic enterprise for the benefit of the public and to aid in the promotion of the cultural spirit in the city of Fort Worth and vicinity, to stimulate the artistic imagination among young people residing there."