KrisAnn Sullivan
Frank House director, 308.865.8284 OR sullivankw@unk.edu
Saturday at the Frank House on March 31 will feature a presentation on “19th Century Gardening for 21st Century Wildlife” at the historic mansion.
The 1:30 p.m. presentation, which is free and open to the public, will feature Del and Alice Hemsath of Kearney presenting “…a crash course in old-time gardening for modern wildlife.”
The presentation is “about the 19th century plants, history and how things have changed through the years as society has changed,” Del said. “The program allows us to look more closely at plant use and give use ideas on what type of things we might change at the Frank House to have it look more like the era it represents. It is also exciting to share ideas on what might work for the homeowner in their landscape using some plants that fit into the historical aspect of Kearney.”
The program, “19th Century Gardening for 21st Century Wildlife,” will highlight some of the plants that were found during the 19th century in the Kearney area, the plants that can still be found at the garden centers for gardeners to use and how to approach using the heritage type of plants. The Hemsaths will also highlight those plants that provide food for wildlife.
“Alice takes care of the outdoor landscape planting design, the indoor plants and flower beds,” Del said. “I have found vegetable and fruit production to be my desire as I get to eat what I grow. I also find that the garden provides a nice retreat from the busy world and from work. There is always something different to learn about gardening, especially when it comes to insects, weeds, disease and other critters that like to use the garden as food.
“We both got started in gardening as a result of teaching and being around gardening and farming, horticulture all of our lives. There is nothing better than fresh strawberries picked from your own garden,” Del continued.
The Hemsaths have been gardening for more than 30 years. They first got involved with the with the Frank House when they moved to Kearney in 2009 and became members of the garden club.
“The club had the Frank House as one of their projects to work on throughout the summer to take care of the outdoor areas of plants,” Del said.
While the presentation is free and open to the public, KrisAnn Sullivan, director of the Frank House, noted: “Donations helped refurbish the master bed chamber area and will be put to good use as we begin the other planned improvement projects in the Frank House. Saturday at the Frank House educational program volunteers help make the public aware of the needs of the house, and the public responds. Donations are always appreciated in support of the Frank House.”
Upcoming Saturday at the Frank House events include: April 7, “Frank House Easter Egg Hunt”; April 14, “Titanic: 100 Year Anniversary Displays”; April 21, “Spring String Concert”; April 28, “Fencing Like the Franks”; and May 5, “Flutes at the Frank House.”
For more information on the Frank House or any of the events, please visit www.frankhouse.org.
