KrisAnn Sullivan
Frank House director, 308.865.8284 OR sullivankw@unk.edu
UNK– The Frank House preservation celebration and antique road show will feature a presentations on preservation and buying antiques online along with a ribbon cutting, picnic and an antique road show on Saturday, May 1.
The Frank House is located on the University of Nebraska at Kearney west campus. The events, which are free and open to the public, will begin at 11 a.m. with a ribbon cutting for the Master Bed Chamber Project.
“Our latest renovation project has been the southwest rooms of the house,” said KrisAnn Sullivan, Frank House director. “We have refurbished the bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and closets and they are beautiful!”
At 11:15 a.m., Nebraska State Historical Society associate director and deputy state historic preservation officer Bob Puschendorf will present “The Basics of Historic Preservation.”
“This will be an introduction to preservation including the ‘who’s who’ of those that work to contribute to the state’s preservation efforts and the role of grassroots advocates in promoting preservation,” Sullivan said.
At 1:30 p.m., Dr. Jason Combs, UNK associate professor of geography, will present “Trading America’s Past on eBay: The Case Study of Northwood Carnival Glass and Roseville Pottery.” This is the third lecture in a series on geography and American material culture. All three presentations have been based on research Dr. Combs has published in professional journals. His other published works include “The Antiques Trade: The Diffusion of America’s Cultural Patrimony” and “The Internet’s Impact on the Antiques Trade.”
“The Internet has a substantial impact on the trade of America’s past,” Dr. Combs said. Dr. Combs also owns Burr Oak Antiques and Appraisals. “Not only has the Internet, specifically eBay, broken down geographic barriers, but the volume of items is significant.
“Daily and monthly eBay samples indicate that Northwood and Roseville pieces—even hard to find patterns—are found in abundance on the Internet,” he said. “The glut of Northwood and Roseville pieces available online, as well as many other antiques and collectibles, is deflating the prices.”
The Antique & Preservation Road Show will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. Registration is limited to the first 25 people who register by 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 24. Tickets are $10. To register, contact Sullivan at 308.865.8284.
“Participants can bring in an antique treasure, tell its story, and seek fortune or advice from Dr. Combs, a certified appraiser,” Sullivan said.
“The public is invited to bring their own lunch at noon and enjoy free ice cream on the veranda,” Sullivan said. “The Kearney Area Preservation Society will serve the ice cream, and talk about their upcoming and current projects. Tours of the Frank House will be available at this time as well.”
