LISTED TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
The Chester Fritz Auditorium is built where the UND theatre tradition began many years ago on the banks of the English Coulee. In 1965, Chester Fritz gave the University of North Dakota $1 million towards the construction of a “distinctive auditorium” on campus. A matching appropriation of $1 million from the state of North Dakota and $1 million in private bequests completed the funding for the Chester Fritz Auditorium.
The building was designed by well-known local architect, Myron Denbrook. Denbrook is the former business partner of Theodore Wells and together, they were responsible for many civic, education and religious buildings in Grand Forks. As a prominent local venue it has hosted many well-known entertainers and productions from Willie Nelson and Dave Brubeck to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Boys Choir.
The building maintains its architectural integrity and appears much as it did when originally constructed. It was listed to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023.
Read the nomination here.