Marian Johnson

By MIKE KONZ
Hub Managing Editor

KEARNEY - Some people might wonder why a woman trained in South Dakota as a music teacher was selected as the first curator of Kearney's Frank House, but the late Brendan McDonald knew what he was after when he tapped a professor's wife at Kearney State College in 1974.

Just as KSC's president suspected an architectural jewel was poised beneath the asphalt shingles that then covered the Frank House, he saw in Marian Johnson someone he wanted to assume the multiple responsibilities of fund raising, restoration and education.

For her voluntary efforts in restoring the Frank House and teaching people about its history, Johnson is the recipient of the 2003 Freedom Award in the Education category.

Fran Lane, who nominated Johnson for the award, noted the effort she put into her 17 years at the Frank House.

"The physical contributions were enormous, taking the house from its former use as living quarters for medical personnel of the state tuberculosis hospital to the 'living museum' it has become," Lane said.

Lane also noted Johnson's role as advocate and educator.

"She was a dynamic, enthusiastic teacher of the value of education in our community. Along with the late Alice Howell, her good friend, she was instrumental in the research and development that led to the designation of the Frank House on the National Register of Historic Places," Lane wrote.

Johnson recalled the day KSC's president told her she was the person who would resurrect the Frank House. "Dr. McDonald made a lunch meeting and he said to my husband, Hal, and me, 'Would you do this?'"

The adventure that followed would take her to places like Seattle and Montreal to research stories related to the historic mansion, as well as to the hardware store for paint remover. Johnson also spoke at many luncheons and other gatherings where she shared her knowledge of the Frank House.

Built by millionaire entrepreneur George Frank at the zenith of early Kearney's industrial boom, the Frank House stands today as a reminder of the city's brightest and darkest days. Frank had built Kearney's famous cotton mill, but lost that factory and his mansion, in part, because of the nationwide financial panic of the1890s. The panic turned Kearney's boom to bust.

Eventually, the Frank House became quarters for the administrator of the state tuberculosis hospital that stood nearby, but when the hospital closed, the vacant home began crumbling into disrepair.

Under their agreement with McDonald, the Johnsons lived rent-free on the second floor. In the beginning, that wasn't a great deal, because fizzled wiring and a myriad of other problems plagued the Johnsons.

"Everything is never done," said Johnson, a hint of the South Dakota accent rolling from her tongue.

She said McDonald, who could grow tired of the normal rigors of leading a college, held a soft spot for the Frank House. He loved entertaining there and hearing about Johnson's progress and challenges. "Dr. McDonald said, 'Marian, it's fun to have you come. You bring an interesting set of problems.'"

Johnson credits KSC's commitment to saving the Frank House for her success, but as she researched the historic home and gathered more donations around the community, many Kearneyites gradually accepted the home as a place worth preserving.

"It was Marian's leadership," Lane wrote, "that developed the vision and educated us all in learning to appreciate and keep our valuable historic landmarks."

Learning more about the home strengthened her ability to advocate for its preservation, Johnson said. "Dr. McDonald wanted me out in the hustings."

By the time she and Hal were ready to retire, Johnson said the role of curator had left her with many new friends and a deep appreciation of history.

"What the Frank House did for me was allow me to learn about the history of this great county," she said.

e-mail to:
mike.konz@kearneyhub.com