Frank House director, 308.865.8284 OR sullivankw@unk.edu
UNK- The historic Frank House, located on the University of Nebraska at Kearney West Campus, will host a series of events, including
an “Antique and Preservation Road Show,” on Saturday, May 3, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the mansion being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“The events are part mystery, part history, part treasure hunt and all fun in support of UNK’s historic Frank House,” said Frank House
Director KrisAnn Sullivan. May is National Preservation Month, and proceeds from the Saturday events will go towards preservation of
the mansion.
The “Antique and Preservation Road Show” will take place beginning at 2 p.m. at the UNK Ockinga Seminar Center, 2505 20th
Ave. Registration, which is $10 at the door, will begin at noon.
“Some of the attendees will have an opportunity to show their antique treasures and tell their tales as they seek fortune or advice,”
Sullivan said. Two experts–Dr. Jason Combs of Kearney, a certified appraiser, and Julie Reilly of the Nebraska State Historical
Society, and the associate director and chief conservator for the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center–will be on hand to give attendees
an idea of the value of their treasures, as well as advice on care and preservation.
“During the preservation show main event, guests may take a walking break to the Frank House,” Sullivan said. “There they can
view the NET program, ‘Saving Nebraska’s Treasures,’ check out the treasures Web site, learn about the Friends of the Frank House,
or do some research using the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf.”
“Saving Nebraska’s Treasures” will be the focus of an 11:30 a.m. luncheon workshop at the Frank House that day. The luncheon
workshop, which is limited to the first 30 registrants, is $8 and includes a box lunch. Box lunch choices include chicken, ham or
vegetables. Pre-registration is required by May 1. Individuals may pre-register by calling Sullivan at 308.865.8284 or by e-mail:
sullivankw@unk.edu. The mansion is located at 2010 West 24th St., Highway 30.
Leading the luncheon workshop will be Julie Reilly and Lynne Ireland, who is also from the Nebraska State Historical Society.
They will talk about preserving collections and improving heritage health. The two will also discuss the “Saving Nebraska’s Treasures,”
distance learning workshops and the support offered by the project’s television program, distance learning workshops and Web site.
They will also discuss next steps, including an application for a statewide planning grant that would create a road map for efforts around
the state to arrive at a better place in terms of preservation of the objects reflective of cultural heritage. That project is supported in
part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and is a partnership of the Nebraska
State Historical Society, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications and the Nebraska Library Commission. Immediately after the
luncheon, and before the “Antiques and Preservation Road Show,” Dr. Combs will lead an in-depth look at the geography of American
antiques. His presentation will take place at UNK’s Ockinga Center. Dr. Combs, an assistant professor of geography at UNK, is a
certified appraiser and owns Burr Oak Antiques and Appraisals. He has published three articles about antiques/material diffusion in
“Material Culture.” The articles are titled “The Antiques Trade: The Diffusion of America’s Cultural Patrimony,” “The Internet’s Impact on the Antiques Trade” and “Trading America’s Past on eBay: The Case Study of Northwood Carnival Glass and Roseville Pottery.” Dr. Combs will be presenting information from the first article. Joining Dr. Combs in celebration of National Preservation Month will be Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse, Julie Reilly and NU Foundation representative Jon Abegglen.
On Saturday, a guided tour of the mansion is available at 10:30 a.m.
“The morning of the show, visitors have an opportunity to take a 45-minute guided tour of UNK’s historic Frank House, which will
include a sneak peak at the summer’s exhibit of the Satsuma Collection,” Sullivan said. Self-guided tours are available from noon until
5 p.m. The mansion is located at 2010 West 24th St., Highway 30.
The grand finale to the day’s celebration will be over ice cream at a social provided by the Young Professional’s Network of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and Cash-Wa Distribution for the benefit of UNK’s Frank House. More information and a schedule of activities can be found at www.frankhouse.org
