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 Warren Building, home to the Opera House, was
generously donated to the Society by the Yokel family, long time purveyors of hardware and furniture in
Friend. Renovations at street level continue today.
The Warren Opera House Restoration Committee (WOHRC) has appointed officers and is proceeding with
the project. We have worked with Mike Lewis, AIA from Des Moines, IA & Jerry Berggren, AIA from
Lincoln, in the recent past. Structural assessment and evaluation 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 saw need to form a permanent organization to promote the restoration of the Warren Opera House,
and have formed the Restoration Committee. The Warren Building, home to the Opera House, was
generously donated to the Society by the Yokel family, long time purveyors of hardware and furniture in
Friend. Renovations at street level continue today.
The Warren Opera House Restoration Committee (WOHRC) has appointed officers and is proceeding with
the project. We have worked with Mike Lewis, AIA from Des Moines, IA & Jerry Berggren, AIA from
Lincoln, in the recent past. Structural assessment and evaluation 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.
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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