In January 2005, a group of concerned citizens formed the Friend Historical
Society. Members of the Society saw need to form a permanent organization to
promote the restoration of the Warren Opera House, and have formed the
Restoration Committee. The Opera House was generously donated to the Society
by the Yokel family, long time purveyors of hardware and furniture in Friend.
The Warren Opera House Restoration Committee (WOHRC) has appointed
officers and is proceeding with the project. We are currently working with Mike
Lewis, an architect from Des Moines, IA. He assures us that the Warren Opera
House is sound, after all these years, and still has a relatively good roof.
Remarkably, after years of abandonment, most of the theater seats remain in
place. The old stage props are still displayed behind the stage, and the curtain is
rolled and stored. Most notable are the hundreds of signatures of traveling
actors, local theater troupes actors and band members that still are scribed on the
wardrobe room walls. The oldest dates to 1897. . . And, the opera house's winter
heat source remains.
.
Society. Members of the Society saw need to form a permanent organization to
promote the restoration of the Warren Opera House, and have formed the
Restoration Committee. The Opera House was generously donated to the Society
by the Yokel family, long time purveyors of hardware and furniture in Friend.
The Warren Opera House Restoration Committee (WOHRC) has appointed
officers and is proceeding with the project. We are currently working with Mike
Lewis, an architect from Des Moines, IA. He assures us that the Warren Opera
House is sound, after all these years, and still has a relatively good roof.
Remarkably, after years of abandonment, most of the theater seats remain in
place. The old stage props are still displayed behind the stage, and the curtain is
rolled and stored. Most notable are the hundreds of signatures of traveling
actors, local theater troupes actors and band members that still are scribed on the
wardrobe room walls. The oldest dates to 1897. . . And, the opera house's winter
heat source remains.
.
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A special edition of the Lincoln State Journal, Sunday June 5, 1887, described Friend
as "situated on the Burlington and Missouri railroad about 40 miles west of Lincoln
and in a fine part of the state. Population 2000. The business interests of the town
are well represented. There are five dry goods stores, nine grocery stores, two
hardware, two furniture, one exclusive boot and shoe, one exclusive clothing, one
cigar factory, three drug stores, three banks," and so on.
Visit Friend Nebraska
In a time when rural America is in decline, it is important to look back to the founders
of Friend and the lessons they can teach us. Preserving our heritage speaks to our
future. Restoring this anchor of the community is a tribute to that legacy of good and
prosperous times and offers us a new beginning; an opportunity to refocus on growth
and prosperous times for our community today.
as "situated on the Burlington and Missouri railroad about 40 miles west of Lincoln
and in a fine part of the state. Population 2000. The business interests of the town
are well represented. There are five dry goods stores, nine grocery stores, two
hardware, two furniture, one exclusive boot and shoe, one exclusive clothing, one
cigar factory, three drug stores, three banks," and so on.
Visit Friend Nebraska
In a time when rural America is in decline, it is important to look back to the founders
of Friend and the lessons they can teach us. Preserving our heritage speaks to our
future. Restoring this anchor of the community is a tribute to that legacy of good and
prosperous times and offers us a new beginning; an opportunity to refocus on growth
and prosperous times for our community today.
About The Warren Opera House
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Friend Historical Society Preserving the Past, Charting the Future |
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