Title: Chester Fritz Auditorium Records, 1972-1998

ID: UA104

Primary Creator: Chester Fritz Auditorium (1972-)

Extent: 21.25 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 06/00/2002

Subjects: University of North Dakota - Buildings, University of North Dakota - Events, University of North Dakota - Theater

Languages: English

The Chester Fritz Auditorium is located west of the English Coulee and on the south side of University Avenue. The Auditorium stands 85 feet high, covers 26,000 square feet, with over two acres of interior flooring. The building can seat up to 2,400 people. The Auditorium was constructed with over 12 million pounds of concrete and 1.3 million pounds of steel framing.

The Chester Fritz Auditorium was funded by three sources, the first being Chester Fritz himself. He donated $1 million, which was matched by an appropriation from the State of North Dakota. An additional $1 million was raised from private donations.

The Chester Fritz Auditorium held groundbreaking ceremonies on June 26, 1970. After hard work and some setbacks, including a sheet metal workers strike, the Auditorium was finished and ready for its first event on October 12, 1972. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir was the first event in the "Fritz."

Today the Chester Fritz Auditorium plays an important role on the campus of the University of North Dakota. There are many types of entertainment held there each year, including dance and musical groups, lectures, and theater performances.

When Chester Fritz donated his money to build the Auditorium he stated it would be a place where, "Students, faculty and staff can listen appreciatively to the great dramas, oratorios, operas, concerts, and contemporary thinkers...where students may gain clearer visions of truth, beauty and integrity...and where opportunity for weighing comparative values will inspire listening students to rise to higher planes of world understanding, purpose and stewardship."

University of North Dakota - Buildings
University of North Dakota - Events
University of North Dakota - Theater

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Chester Fritz Auditorium

Acquisition Method: Donation

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Chester Fritz Auditorium Records. UA 104, Box #, Item #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid migrated to Archon in February 2015.