Donald Judd Historic District in Marfa, Texas, Added to National Register
138June 12, 2025
The National Park Service has added theDonald JuddHistoric District in Marfa, Texas, to theNational Register of Historic Places. The newly designated district comprises fifteen buildings and a single monumental artwork and is an amendment to the Fort D.A. Russell Historic District, which was listed in 2006. Judd, who moved to Marfa in 1971, purchased many buildings in town along with nearly 40,000 acres of ranch land, including the Fort D.A. Russell, which had been decommissioned by the US Army, rehabbing its structures to house his large-scale, site-specific installations. The new listing includes Judd’s name in recognition of the minimal artist’s contributions to art and architecture from 1973 until his death in 1994.
“Listing theDonald Judd Historic Districtin the National Register of Historic Places gives this special place the nationwide recognition it deserves,” said Joseph Bell, executive director of the Texas Historical Commission, in a statement. “Judd’s legacy and cultural impact on Presidio County’s heritage are well worth preserving for future generations.”
Nine of the fifteen buildings and the artwork—a group of fifteen massive concrete structures interspersed along a 3,200-foot stretch of the disused army base’s border—are stewarded by the Chinati Foundation, which Judd founded in 1986 to display large-scale works. The other six are overseen by the Judd Foundation, which has charge of the artist’s former home and studio spaces. Among the protected structures are the Arena, the Artillery Sheds (which houses Judd’s 100 untitled works in mill aluminum, 1982–86), and the artist’s library, print studio, and main residence. Several exhibition spaces and two unfinished concrete buildings designed by Judd are also included.
Eleven other Judd-affiliated structures were already under federal protection, having been placed on the National Register in 2022 as part of the Central Marfa Historic District.
“This important recognition provides a context through which to understand Don’s work,” said Flavin Judd, artistic director of Judd Foundation, in a statement. “Few people make their own world of art, design, and architecture. Even fewer leave that behind to be experienced by the public. Through this joint designation for Judd Foundation and the Chinati Foundation, we will continue our work for the historic preservation and future access of these sites.”