News
Community
The Friend Historical Society is constantly evolving to meet not only the original mission of restoring the Warren Building including the Opera House, but to meld the needs of the community to the potential offered by the Opera House parts and pieces as they come online.
Some events we have hosted, for example, are as diverse as the Friend High School Junior Senior Prom (San Carlo Room) and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s Opera Presentation.
Greg Holdren Lecture – Sunday, March 21, 2021

Greg Holdren has been a 40+ year resident of Friend, NE. During this time he retired from teaching art at the Friend Public School and painted buildings not only in Friend but much of the surrounding area. He leaves his mark in Dorchester, Crete, Lincoln, Fairbury, Exeter, Fairmont, Grand Island, etc. He will share pictures of 80+ of his works during his presentation. Join the Friend Historical Society in this send off to Greg.

UPDATES!
The Warren Building was completed in the 1880s. Keeping the building in good repair is essential to a structure that is over 135 years old. A project that has long been on our “to do” list is tuck pointing the west wall of the Warren Building. Tuck pointing is a process of replacing damaged mortar joints between bricks. This maintenance is essential to keeping brick walls structurally sound. The tuck pointing process had to be approved by History Nebraska and was undertaken in the fall of 2020. We thank the Ihyde Foundation for their financial support of this project!

FHS Board Approves Next Phase of Renovation Project
In 2019 the Board approved a contract with Clark Architects to begin the renovation of the Warren Opera House. Discussions have continued about our vision for the Opera House. Preliminary floor plans have been developed with review and recommendations by History Nebraska. An initial review of the structural integrity of the building was conducted. Grant opportunities continue to be explored. At the January 2021 meeting the Board approved the next step, an in-depth assessment and documentation of structural needs. This description will be used to determine the repair costs.
Mardi Gras Celebration

Please RSVP on the Facebook Event HERE by February 5th, 2021
Or Call for reservations 402-947-2293
Free will offering appreciated
Friend Historical Society-Get on Board for 2020
The 2020 Friend Historical Society membership drive has begun. A one year household membership is $50.00. Junior membership (under 21 years of age) is $10.00. Each membership receives one (1) magnetic button. Additional buttons are $5.00 each. These buttons are for members only.Members will receive updated information on the opera house renovation progress via email.
If interested in joining, please fill out the following form and return to P.O. Box 174, Friend, NE 68359.
For more information on membership or volunteering, contact Connie at 402-947-7161 or Ann at 402-366-6608.
Ladies Fall Luncheon

October 12th
Doors Open at 11:30AM
Ticket Price: $25.00
– Includes Raffle-Lunch-Coffee-Wine-Progr am
Reservations: Call Pam 402-366-1132 or Connie 402-947-7161
Where: Lower level Historic Warren Building, 511 2nd Street, Friend NE
The Cornhusker Model A Ford Club
Four Youth Camps for Summer Fun!
HOSTED BY NEBRASKA EXTENSION & FRIEND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ALL CAMPS HELD IN SAN CARLO ROOM, 511 Second St, Friend, NE 68359
REGISTRATION – $10 Per class! See class times and descriptions below:
JUNE 10th
CODE CAMP (10AM to 12PM) – Youth age 8 and older. Learn introductory computer science through coding in a game environment. If you can read, you can code! Youth learn critical thinking, logic, creativity, and persistence which helps students excel at problem solving in all subjects. CALL 402-821-2151 to sign up.
3D PRINTER MODELING CAMP (2PM to 4PM) – Youth age 8 and older. Learn how a 3D printer works and have an opportunity to modify an existing 3D print design. The 3D prints will be delivered to the Extension Office once they are printed. CALL 402-821-2151 to sign up.
JUNE 17th
ROBOTICS CAMP (10AM to 12PM) (ONLY 10 SPACES AVAILABLE) – Youth age 8 and older. LEGO (R) MINDSTORMS (R) gives you the power to create and command your own LEGO (R) robot. By combining LEGO (R) elements with a programmable brick, motors, and sensors, you will learn to build your robot and program it to move. CALL 402-560-1126 to sign up.
STEM CHALLENGE CAMP (1PM to 3PM) (ONLY 16 SPACES AVAILABLE) – Youth age 8 and older. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are necessary skills for the future. Join us for a fun STEM challenge. Build the best volleyball machine with provided materials to win the volleyball machine competition. CALL 402-560-1126 to sign up.
“Talk Derby to Me” May 5th @ 11:00AM -San Carlo Room

It’s the 145th Run for the Roses Presented by H.A.T.S. & Friend Historical Society Tickets $25
11:00 AM Doors Open 11:15 AM Derby Drinks & Coffee 11:45 AM Welcome 12:00 PM Meal “Kentucky Hot Brown” | -Break- | 12:30 PM Style Show “Rustic Twig and Willow Boutique” and “Patty of Cumberlands” 1:00 PM Drawing for Horses “My Old Kentucky Home” 2:00 PM Best Hat Contest Basket Drawing Thanks |
Yourk College Traveling Children’s Theater on April 14, 2019 @3:00PM
The Friend Historical Society is presenting the Yourk College Traveling Children’s Theater on April 14, 2019 at 3:00 PM in the beautiful San Carlo Room.
This year the play they are performing is titled “The New Clothes King and the Bandit Queen.” This show is fun for all ages because the plays are usually based on common fairy tales but rewritten as a spoof, thus making it humorous for adults.
The players are up close and engage the audience, so children feel part of the play also. It is FREE with refreshments following and a chance to mingle with the talented performers. Seating is limited so come early.

Come Meet Friend’s Newest VIPs!
Come to meet Friend’s newest VIPs Mayor Judith Knoke, Chief of Police Shawn Gray and Police Officer Dominic Lombardo on March 14, 2019, at the Pour House from 5-8 pm. Sponsored by the Friend Historical Society.