G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture

G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture Free entry during our open hours
Guided tours available at 2:00pm Take a walk through Nebraska history! See the house’s ongoing restoration.

Located in a beautiful Richardsonian Romanesque mansion, the G.W. Frank Museum is part house museum, part history museum, part cultural center. Built in 1890, the opulent home of capitalists George and Phoebe Frank was among the first electrified houses in the American West. Its unique story as a once modern, stylish residence, turned rental property, sanitarium, and tuberculosis hospital offers a

window into Kearney’s past – its early rise and fall, and its rebirth as a center for health and education. Exhibits, tours, and programs explore the history and culture of central Nebraska, from the Gilded Age to the present. Learn about the industrialists, factory workers, and domestic servants who experienced Kearney’s rapid boom and bust. Find out what life was like for the doctors, nurses, and thousands of patients at the Nebraska Hospital for Tuberculosis. Or simply enjoy our rotating displays of Victorian decorative art. There’s something for everyone!

06/11/2026

Very exciting update!! Our original front door is getting some much-needed TLC. Its been taken down temporarily a.d will receive a full face-lift makeover! Then the wood will be safely re-sealed so its protected for the next 150+ years 😁

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!

We are currently looking to hire one or two UNK students interested in being tour guides for this summer and into the up...
05/11/2026

We are currently looking to hire one or two UNK students interested in being tour guides for this summer and into the upcoming Fall/Spring semesters. To apply, please log into Handshake online and search for Job #11037396. Please PM or email us any time with any questions.

Log into your Handshake account at: https://app.joinhandshake.com/login

Today is such a special day. Today we celebrate FOUR incredible museum staff for earning their degrees from University o...
05/08/2026

Today is such a special day. Today we celebrate FOUR incredible museum staff for earning their degrees from University of Nebraska at Kearney and graduating today!
While we are sad to see them go, we wish them all the absolute best and are so grateful for their years of care and dedication to the museum. We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!

Please join us in congratulating Taylor Crook, Lane Olson, David Johnson, and Hannah Vraspir 🎉👏👏👏

Thank you WanderNebraska for selecting us as one of your tour destinations! We felt really privileged to spend our Tues...
04/22/2026

Thank you WanderNebraska for selecting us as one of your tour destinations! We felt really privileged to spend our Tuesday afternoon with such a fun and engaged group.

Programs like this from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation help keep history alive and Nebraska vibrant. Please check out their WanderNebraska program and the other important projects they provide for our state: https://www.nshsf.org/projects/

Congratulations Logan Osmera for placing first in the 2026 for his poster project “Campus in Confusion: Kearney State ...
04/20/2026

Congratulations Logan Osmera for placing first in the 2026 for his poster project “Campus in Confusion: Kearney State College from 1970-1995" !!!

His poster is part of a unique, incredible research project that he's been working on in partnership with us at the Frank Museum for a few years now, and we can't wait to see what else develops from his research and efforts.

Check out the full list of winners here: https://www.unk.edu/blog/2026/04/2026-graduate-student-research-day-award-winners-announced.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawRTO6ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSOWszZmx6OXZ5cUxGbHV6c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvqbwI_qk3L9cbirBjKAgZk1BU_vq58iO9YyuIW1u04LKNsmOB1NfAb5N7Mn_aem_XmGbLWxAL0tC0zQWJ0HwYA

04/19/2026
Have you ever wondered about Kearney's early electrification or why there's a water canal system around town? Now you ca...
04/06/2026

Have you ever wondered about Kearney's early electrification or why there's a water canal system around town? Now you can learn all about it on our website thanks to UNK History Department student David Johnson. He spent countless hours researching and compiling information on how the Frank family helped build early Kearney, and now you can read it at: https://www.unk.edu/offices/frankhouse/the-franks-vision-for-kearney-and-betting-on-water-power.php

And a huge shout out to 's web content developer Josh Stoiber for putting together such a sleek and accessible page for us! We're grateful to have University of Nebraska at Kearney's support and partnership.

Explore the Frank family's ambitious vision and contributions to Kearney, Nebraska, including the development of the Kearney Canal and hydroelectric power plant.

Calling all Kearney State/UNK alumni!📣 Did you attend Kearney State College and/or UNK from 1970-1995? We want to hear f...
03/11/2026

Calling all Kearney State/UNK alumni!📣 Did you attend Kearney State College and/or UNK from 1970-1995? We want to hear from you!
The G.W. Frank Museum is collecting stories and experiences from Kearney State/UNK alumni for a future exhibit and for a University of Nebraska at Kearney student thesis. We’re looking for how students experienced college outside the classrooms- college life, partying, rules you hated, fun memories you didn't, anything! Also, completely understand and respect if you want to remain 100% anonymous, we can facilitate that no problem.
If you're interested in sharing your stories, feel free to comment below, or please send us a private message, or you can find our other contact info at https://www.unk.edu/offices/frankhouse/contact-us.php

12/27/2025

Unfortunately the Frank Museum will be closed today due to staffing. Our sincerest apologies, and we'll be open tomorrow.

Address

2010 University Drive
Kearney, NE
68849

Opening Hours

Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm
Sunday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13088658284

Website

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