Gloria LeDroit
Frank House Friends member, 308.234.9812
UNK- The Friends of the Frank House, a volunteer organization connected to the historic home on the University of Nebraska at Kearney West Campus, will celebrate their 10th anniversary on Wednesday, June 9.
“Members past and present are invited,” said Gloria LeDroit, chairperson.
“The university and the Frank House are very appreciative of the Friends support throughout their 10-year history and celebrate with them,” said KrisAnn Sullivan, Frank House director.
A highlight of the celebration, which will take place from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the home, will be tours of the newly refurbished master bedchamber suite, which was partially funded by the Friends. According to Sullivan, the original plan, which was suggested by the Frank House Advisory Board, was to refurbish the vestibule, dressing room and closet areas on the first floor.
“We consulted the State Historic Society and the guidelines for the treatment of historic buildings,” Sullivan said. “The lead-based paint, kitchen cupboards, wall tile and layers of flooring that had been added in the early 1900s have been removed. The woodwork and floors have been refinished, and the walls have been painted in colors that closely resemble the original colors from 1889.”
Other projects in the Friends’ 10-year history include refurbishing the main floor rooms, including paint, drapes and rugs. The volunteers also help decorate the home for the annual Christmas Walk, and sponsor Frank House Bridge and the Edible Flowers tea. Another major project has been planting and maintaining the gardens in conjunction with the Nebraska Arboretum Society, the Soil Sisters Garden Club and UNK grounds department. Members have also served as docents.
