Building 98
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by John B. Chandler
by John B. Chandler
Building 98. . . Hacienda del Arcon
Building 98 at Fort D.A. Russell has been specially selected as the International Woman's Foundation headquarters. Formerly an officer's club and bachelor
officer's quarters, Building 98 is historically a place where officers came to relax and fellowship with their peers. It now stands as a physical reminder of the
camaraderie that service men and women shared with each other, and with the local and international communities.
The most exciting treasure contained within its walls are two rooms of oil-on-plaster murals painted by German prisoners of war interned at the camp between
1943 and 1945. Depicting scenes of the surrounding terrain and southwest culture, they are the largest collection and some of the few remaining such murals
still in existence. Others have long since been neglected, forgotten and destroyed.
There is an unmistakable friendship evident on these walls — images of peace and tranquility painted by young men longing for home and family — that belie
the war that was then engulfing the world-at-large.
Building 98 has maintained much of its historic integrity, having undergone few alterations since the fort closed in 1946. It is a simple, "army issue," concrete
and adobe structure with a pebble-dash exterior, originally roofed with cavalry red rolled roofing. In its simplicity lies an underlying elegance that years of
neglect almost obscured.
Building 98 was registered as a National Historic Site by the United States Department of Interior in February 2004. It was further registered as a Recorded
Historic Texas Landmark by the Texas Historic Commission, September 2005. As of January 2007 all of old Fort D. A. Russell was designated a National
Historic Monument by the United States Department of Interior. Click here for more
Rescue of this special building and its incredible murals has been a matter of great urgency. Failing to act would have lost these treasures for future
generations. Restoration has been underway since 2003 and will continue.
Building 98 is being restored and rehabilitated by professional preservationists under the guidance of the Texas Historical Commission using the Secretary of
the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The property will finally be transformed into a retreat for artists. The mural rooms will become
a unique museum embracing subjects significant to the building itself, such as military history, Texas history, prisoner-of-war art and women's studies.
Part of the sympathetic restoration will include conservation of the prisoner-of-war murals. Restoration of the historic officers' club with its original massive
wooden bar, mirrored wall and brass detailing, rehabilitation of the bachelors' quarters, and restoration of the historic 2000 square foot Ball Room have been
accomplished.
Given funds, an additional 4,600 square feet of usable space will be added to further the mission of IWF in enhancing the intellectual, spiritual and physical
lives of women in the arts. The facility will be used to host artists in residence who might not otherwise be able to perform or produce their art. It will provide
the necessary tools and venue for creating and displaying artwork of all genres. Further plans call for a performance hall and stage, two artist's studios, a
darkroom, woodworking shed and other artist's tools.
Common areas will allow for mutual mentoring and spiritual rejuvenation. Serene xeriscaped gardens with a medieval design labyrinth will provide private areas
for meditation and communication with nature. An on-premises spa, summer pool and private club with dining facilities will complement the experience. A
state-of-the-art health center with the most advanced nutrition and healthful aging therapies will operate in one leased wing of the building.
There is no comparable facility to be found.
The foundation's projects will eventually be funded through private club, health center and artist guest rooms, making it a fully self-sustaining venture. IWF
docents now invite visitors to experience the murals and the shared heritage of an important period of local and international 20th century history.
Please join us in making this project a reality.
Building 98 at Fort D.A. Russell has been specially selected as the International Woman's Foundation headquarters. Formerly an officer's club and bachelor
officer's quarters, Building 98 is historically a place where officers came to relax and fellowship with their peers. It now stands as a physical reminder of the
camaraderie that service men and women shared with each other, and with the local and international communities.
The most exciting treasure contained within its walls are two rooms of oil-on-plaster murals painted by German prisoners of war interned at the camp between
1943 and 1945. Depicting scenes of the surrounding terrain and southwest culture, they are the largest collection and some of the few remaining such murals
still in existence. Others have long since been neglected, forgotten and destroyed.
There is an unmistakable friendship evident on these walls — images of peace and tranquility painted by young men longing for home and family — that belie
the war that was then engulfing the world-at-large.
Building 98 has maintained much of its historic integrity, having undergone few alterations since the fort closed in 1946. It is a simple, "army issue," concrete
and adobe structure with a pebble-dash exterior, originally roofed with cavalry red rolled roofing. In its simplicity lies an underlying elegance that years of
neglect almost obscured.
Building 98 was registered as a National Historic Site by the United States Department of Interior in February 2004. It was further registered as a Recorded
Historic Texas Landmark by the Texas Historic Commission, September 2005. As of January 2007 all of old Fort D. A. Russell was designated a National
Historic Monument by the United States Department of Interior. Click here for more
Rescue of this special building and its incredible murals has been a matter of great urgency. Failing to act would have lost these treasures for future
generations. Restoration has been underway since 2003 and will continue.
Building 98 is being restored and rehabilitated by professional preservationists under the guidance of the Texas Historical Commission using the Secretary of
the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The property will finally be transformed into a retreat for artists. The mural rooms will become
a unique museum embracing subjects significant to the building itself, such as military history, Texas history, prisoner-of-war art and women's studies.
Part of the sympathetic restoration will include conservation of the prisoner-of-war murals. Restoration of the historic officers' club with its original massive
wooden bar, mirrored wall and brass detailing, rehabilitation of the bachelors' quarters, and restoration of the historic 2000 square foot Ball Room have been
accomplished.
Given funds, an additional 4,600 square feet of usable space will be added to further the mission of IWF in enhancing the intellectual, spiritual and physical
lives of women in the arts. The facility will be used to host artists in residence who might not otherwise be able to perform or produce their art. It will provide
the necessary tools and venue for creating and displaying artwork of all genres. Further plans call for a performance hall and stage, two artist's studios, a
darkroom, woodworking shed and other artist's tools.
Common areas will allow for mutual mentoring and spiritual rejuvenation. Serene xeriscaped gardens with a medieval design labyrinth will provide private areas
for meditation and communication with nature. An on-premises spa, summer pool and private club with dining facilities will complement the experience. A
state-of-the-art health center with the most advanced nutrition and healthful aging therapies will operate in one leased wing of the building.
There is no comparable facility to be found.
The foundation's projects will eventually be funded through private club, health center and artist guest rooms, making it a fully self-sustaining venture. IWF
docents now invite visitors to experience the murals and the shared heritage of an important period of local and international 20th century history.
Please join us in making this project a reality.
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