| International Woman’s Foundation Hacienda Del Arcon • 705 West Bonnie Street • Marfa, TX 79843 Mailing address: PO Bo 445 • Marfa, TX 79843 (432) 729-4826 • fax (432) 729-3391 garciamona@att.net |
Building 98
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, Hans
Jurgen Press and Robert Hampel 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.
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.
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, Hans
Jurgen Press and Robert Hampel 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.
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.
Building 98 . . . Hacienda del Arcon
| History Past: Building 98 was constructed by the US Army between 1895 and 1920 as a horse cavalry , officer’s quarters and club. This military facility at Fort Russell became the Army Air Corps club house and residence during WWII. German prisoners of war interned here between 1943 and 1945. Two large rooms completely covered with oil on plaster murals were painted during this time. Present: The International Women’s Foundation is firmly committed to preserving the murals and their history. Future: Plans for an additional 4,600 square feet of space are in the works to further the mission of enhancing the intellectual, spiritual and physical lives of women in the arts. |
| Preservation Links |
Founder
Mona Garcia
Mona Garcia
Registered as a
National
Historic site
February 2004
National
Historic site
February 2004