FRANKLIN, Kan. — Beginning July 1, the Miners’ Hall Museum (MHM) is hosting the “Preserving the Past: Coal Camps and Company Houses” exhibit on the grounds of the museum. The exhibit runs through Sept. 23 with special presentations scheduled throughout.
The Museum currently has a restored Miner’s House on the grounds that is open to the public as part of the exhibit. The house was donated to the museum by members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac in 2012 and has been under restoration since. The house was originally located on Depot Street, modern-day Linn Street, in Frontenac.
Jerry Lomshek, a local historian noted for his expertise on the 1888 Frontenac mining disaster, has a long history of restoring historic buildings in the area, including Saint Barbara’s Church in Chicoppee and the Miner’s House. On July 23, Lomshek will share the story of restoring the Miner’s House, with special guest Dr. Virgil Albertini, who lived next door in the 1930s.
According to Lomshek, the old house got around. It first appeared on the tax records in 1908, but Lomshek believes the house was built before then and moved to Depot Street by the Cherokee and Pittsburg Coal Company. Company housing was built en masse in batches with every home being identical.
In 1976, the house was moved to 2nd and Broadway in Pittsburg (where Immigrant Park is now) to act as an information center during the Bicentennial, which coincided with Pittsburg’s centennial. Shortly afterwards, the house was moved to the 400 block of North Joplin Street where it remained until 2004 when it was relocated again to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frontenac. In 2012, the house was donated and relocated to the Miners’ Hall Museum in Franklin for restoration.
In 1909, the house was sold to Carlo Benelli who used it as a rental until 1930 when it was sold to Rose Bickerdike. Bickerdike owned the home until 1962 and lived next door to the young Virgil Albertini.
The Albertinis, according to Lomshek, were of great help in restoring the house through donations and Albert’s recollections of the interior layout.
For those interested in researching the history of their own homes, on Aug. 6, MHM is hosting Diana Staresinic-Dean, executive director of the Franklin County Historical Society and Old Depot Museum. Staresinic-Dean will share how to go about discovering the history of your home, business, or land using deeds, maps, newspapers, and other resources.
Larry Fields will give a presentation on Sept. 10 on the preservation and renovation of the historic Frisco Depot and Pittcraft Building.
Miners’ Hall Museum is located at 701 S. Broadway in Franklin, Kansas. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free.
