Building 98 facts for kids
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Building 98, Fort D.A. Russell
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Building 98
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 Building 98, Fort D.A. Russell
Location in Texas
Building 98, Fort D.A. Russell
Location in the United States
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| Location | W. Bonnie St., Marfa, Texas |
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| Area | 2.3 acres (0.93 ha) |
| Built | 1920 |
| Part of | Fort D.A. Russell Historic District (ID06001152) |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000100 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 25, 2004 |
| Designated CP | December 14, 2006 |
Building 98 is a historic building near Marfa, Texas. It was once a place for army officers to live and relax. This building was part of Fort D.A. Russell, an important army base. It was used from 1911 to 1946. Today, Building 98 is known for its amazing murals painted by German prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II. It is now managed by the International Woman's Foundation.
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Amazing Murals at Building 98
Building 98 is home to special paintings called murals. These murals cover over 3,048 square feet of wall space. They are found in the old dining room and library of the fort.
Who Painted the Murals?
The murals were finished in 1945. They were painted by two German prisoners of war (POWs). Their names were Hans Jürgen Press and Robert Humpel. They were held at the base during World War II.
Hans Jürgen Press was an artist and writer. He was also a glider pilot during the war. After leaving Building 98 in 1945, he created two watercolors. These paintings showed local people in West Texas. One showed a Spanish dance, and the other showed someone playing a Spanish guitar.
Building 98 shows Marfa's long history with art. The art style known as "West Texas regionalism" has been around since the time of cattle drives. Marfa was a big part of that history.
History of Fort D.A. Russell
Building 98 has a rich past. It was first used by the United States Cavalry in 1911. It served as a place for unmarried officers to live. It was also a fun place for officers during World War I and the Mexican Revolution.
Protecting the Border
The fort was built to keep local ranches and towns safe. This was important during dangerous times along the Texas and Mexico border. Building 98 was right across from the main parade grounds. It was also where the first camp headquarters was located.
Building 98 also had the fort's officer's mess. This was a dining hall with its own chef. It even has a special cart from World War II. This cart was for an ASM-N-2 BAT Glide Bomb from the original air base.
New Ownership and Preservation
In 1949, the historic base was sold to J. Alfred Roosevelt. Later, the International Woman's Foundation helped get Fort D.A. Russell listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They also got it listed with the Texas Historical Commission. This was a dream of Roosevelt's, who had lived at the fort.
Since 2002, the International Woman's Foundation has run an artist-in-residency program. They also have the Camp Marfa fort museum. Mona Blocker Garcia started the foundation in 2002. Her goal was to help mature women artists and promote healthy aging. She also wanted to keep the history of Fort D.A. Russell exactly as it was when the fort closed. The George Sugarman courtyard is a special art area at Building 98. It features a metal sculpture garden.
Restoring Building 98
The International Woman's Foundation has been working hard to restore Building 98. They want it to look just like it did originally. They helped get Building 98 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They also got it on the Texas state historical society register.
Major Restoration Work
Big renovations started in 2002. The entire roof was replaced. The outside walls were also fixed. Workers focused on keeping the original look of the floors, furniture, and ceilings. They avoided changes that happened after 1949. The building also had serious damage from after the Great Depression.
Today, the restored Building 98 museum is open to everyone. You can even take a guided tour. Building 98 is one of Marfa's most important historic places. Its rich history has been brought back to life. Preserving this old army camp helps future generations understand Texas's important role in the past.
Art Galleries and Exhibitions
Building 98 has a special program for artists. Artists can live and work there. The foundation provides the Studio 98 galleries for them to show their art. They also host parties in the old officers' club. These events happen every year and are announced in the news.
Past Exhibitions
One important exhibition was a big show of works by Wilhelmina Weber Furlong. This show was in the grand ballroom. It featured over 75 never-before-seen works by the early American modernist artist. The artist's personal items were also displayed, including her Victorian easel. This event was a ten-year anniversary celebration for the foundation in October 2012.
See also
- German prisoners of war in the United States
- List of World War II prisoner-of-war camps in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Presidio County, Texas
