KrisAnn Sullivan
Frank House director, 308.865.8284 OR sullivankw@unk.edu
UNK– “Frank Talks: The Buildings of George William Frank” will feature a 1:30 p.m. presentation on Saturday, March 27, highlighting various Kearney buildings designed by George William Frank Jr.
The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Saturdays at the Frank House series of presentations. The Frank House, which was designed by George William Frank Jr. for his parents, is located on the University of Nebraska at Kearney West Campus.
“George William Frank Jr. was the youngest child of George William and Phoebe McNair Frank,” said Bobbie McKenzie, a Friends of the Frank House volunteer who will give the presentation. “We know that the Franks built this elegant house, and made major contributions to the economy and development of Kearney. He (George William Frank Jr.) lived in Kearney for less than 15 years more than 100 years ago, but most of us aren’t aware of the impact he had on the architectural history of the city.”
About 10 other buildings in Kearney are linked to the Franks, including City Hall, several private homes and an apartment complex resembling Green Terrace.
“Unfortunately, many of his buildings have been torn down,” McKenzie said. “But you can still walk by those that remain today.
“His designs were added to the Avery Index, which is still in existence today,” McKenzie said. “Although we think of the Frank House as his most famous design, it is not listed in the Avery.”
“George Jr. was a Renaissance man,” McKenzie said. “Trained as a civil engineer, he had an appreciation of the arts. He worked as an architect, served on the Kearney chamber and library board, appeared in several dramatic productions and sang in a male quartet. In the southwest bedroom on the second floor hangs a picture that he painted,” she said.
