G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture

10/13/2026

Join us this evening at 6pm at The World Theatre fir a really special presentation from John Lazzaro. Event is FREE and open to all, hope to see you there!

The G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture (Frank Museum) and the World Theatre present renowned author and photographer John Lazzaro on Tuesday, October 13th at 6:00pm at the World Theatre in Kearney.

During this event, John Lazzaro will share vivid photographs and excerpts from his latest book Sanatorium: Inside the Architectural Cure for Tuberculosis and will discuss how architecture played a vital role in combating the historic White Plague of tuberculosis in the United States.
This thought-provoking photographic survey spotlights the historical significance of these existing structures as symbols of progressive ideas and civic responsibility which were constructed by like-minded physicians, philanthropists, and government officials. Most importantly, Sanatorium documents how the quest for a cure led to the visionary architecture of hospitals and captures what remains from the passage of time. Photography, medical field, and history lovers are strongly encouraged to attend.

John Lazzaro is an author and photographer specializing in urban landscape and the documentation of the solemn beauty in abandoned buildings and vanishing architecture throughout the United States. Lazzaro draws upon his experiences from documentary filmmaking in order to create a realistic, visual, and enthralling dialogue of historic ruins.

Event Details:
-Date: Tuesday October 13, 2026
-Start Time: 6:00pm
-Location: The World Theatre, 2318 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847, (308) 234-8046, www.theworldtheatre.org
- Length: Presentation will last 45-60 minutes, with Q&A to follow
- Admission: FREE
- All Ages, but please be respectful to maintain a quiet and focused presentation environment

10/06/2026

Graduate Student Delaney Tracy's exciting presentation on Frank family business history is now up and on YouTube for anyone interested: https://youtu.be/rjH74erDUxE?si=4NuzTMY74aUkTkIq

"The New Metropolitan Order of Things: Frank Business Failures in Kearney"

The namesake of the Frank Museum, George W. Frank, has long been regarded as part of the vanguard of Kearney's economic development in the late nineteenth century. Despite his purported success, he and his family perplexingly left the city just over a decade after they arrived. Although some of the Frank businesses did contribute to Kearney's development, new research has revealed that Frank was not the capable businessman he has been portrayed as. His corporate connections and struggles following the Panic of 1893 explain the family's departure while also revealing the forgotten history of Kearney's early years.

Delaney Tracy is pursuing a master’s degree in history at University of Nebraska at Kearney and works as a graduate assistant. Delaney was involved in undergraduate research and the Phi Eta Sigma honor society, and she served as president of the history honor society. A recipient of the 2024 Wagner Family Writing Award, she’s worked for the UNK Chancellor’s Office and the Trails and Rails Museum in Kearney and completed an internship with the Department of Veterans Affairs. She also volunteers as a Find a Grave photographer.

These free programs are a partnership of the University of Nebraska at Kearney's UNK History Department and the Kearney Public Library.

This was filmed on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

10/05/2026

Today we ask you to join us in celebrating World Architecture Day. The first Monday in October each year is and this year's motto is "Housing is a Human Right. Build It." This year's theme calls on architects to contribute to advancing equitable access to housing through design, research, and advocacy. At the Frank Museum, we recognize the crucial importance of housing and mindful building practices, and ask that we all pause today and think of those who still remain unhoused. We provide a look into our past in order to provide a hopeful future.

The Frank Museum once belonged to a single family (the Franks, of course) and served as their main dwelling from 1889 until the late 1890s. While they were not here long, the building endures mainly due to George William Frank, Jr.'s (son of G.W. Frank) architectural ingenuity and attention to every detail. Built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the Frank's home not only embodies big opulence and privilege, it also provides a real look into past building techniques that were considered cutting edge in the 1890s, such as reinforced stonework, solid oak woodwork, and electricity. In fact, the Frank Museum is the first building in the state of to have electricity included in the building plans, illustrating the Frank's eyes toward progress and modern building.

To read more about this year's World Architecture Day you can visit https://www.archdaily.com/1186206/on-world-architecture-day-2026-a-call-to-build-better-build-differently-and-share-resources

10/03/2026

Did you know that architecture played a crucial role during the White Plague? John Lazzaro's dynamic book of photography takes an in-depth look into how tuberculosis hospitals were designed specifically to try and help the poor souls afflicted by this terrible disease. Throughout most of the late 1800s and early 1900s, doctors and medical researchers tried everything they could think of to combat TB, including designing treatment facilities and near fresh air locations such as prairies, deserts, or sea sides, and then designed the buildings to allow as much of that fresh air and sunlight (the two main treatments for TB) into the buildings and directed toward the patients as possible. John's provides a hauntingly beautiful look at these once grand structures that, thanks to modern medicine, have been mostly abandoned or repurposed. His work captures these important pieces of human and before they're gone completely.

Join us on Tuesday October 13th 6pm at The World Theatre for a special presentation from John on his newest book "Sanitarium: Inside the Architectural Cure for Tuberculosis." Check out our event page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/19h4sdFGZh/

09/24/2026

Join us at The World Theatre for a fascinating look into history, architecture, and photography!

The G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture and the World Theatre present New York author and photographer John Lazzaro. Join us at the World on Tuesday Oct 13th as he shares vivid photos and excerpts from his latest book, "Sanatorium: Inside the Architectural Cure for Tuberculosis." Discover how visionary hospital design helped combat the historic "White Plague" in the United States and see what remains of these extraordinary structures today.

Calling all history, medical, and photography enthusiasts—don't miss this thought-provoking, visually-captivating event! 🏛️ 📸✨

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM (45–60 min presentation + Q&A)

Location: The World Theatre (2318 Central Ave, Kearney, NE)

Admission: FREE and All Ages, but please be respectful of the presentation environment

06/19/2026

The Frank Museum will be closed today 6/19 in observance and appreciation of Juneteenth.

05/22/2026

Due to unexpected damage to our main water line, the Frank Museum will be CLOSED this weekend on Saturday 5/23 and Sunday 5/24. We sincerely apologize and know that this may impact some plans for memorial day weekend. Please reach out if you have any questions, and we hope you will visit again soon!