Frankford Preservation Foundation

We’re excited to announce our fall and winter events! Save the dates!
Fall Prairie Tour - Saturday, October 19th from 4-6pm. Fall Concert on the Prairie - Sunday, October 20th starting at 3pm. Christmas on the Prairie Candlelight Services - Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th. Doors open at 4:30pm, service starts at 5pm. More info and links to register coming soon!

We Are Excited To Have Completed The Legacy House In 2023!

Why did we build the Legacy House?
Since our formation in September 2014 we have expanded our outreach from 200 to over 1000 patrons. Interest is growing in the communities we serve due to the uniqueness of our site and the excellence of our programs.

FPF reached the maximum income we could generate with our current facilities. Income from rentals and events held in Frankford Church covered 70% of our expenses.

Having the new Legacy House near the church allows us to rent the church at least four additional times per year, which can increase our annual revenue by 30% or more. We anticipate that events and rentals will increase to the point that all donations can go toward building our reserve account.

How can you help?
FPF invites you to be a part of this exciting project by contributing financially to the fund for continued maintenance of the new Legacy House. Great cities need historic destinations that speak to their roots. With the convenience of the new building, we will serve our patrons well and reach fiscal sustainability through our programs and rentals, becoming the premier small historic destination in Dallas. Donations of any amount are appreciated. Click on this link www.frankfordpreservationfoundation.org/legacy/ to learn more.

This Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives while serving. And our hearts go out to those who have lost someone they love.

We were honored to receive a Preservation Achievement Award for the Frankford Legacy House from Preservation Dallas at the 25th Annual Preservation Achievement Awards.

Congratulations to Katherine Power and Ginger Ellis | Frankford Preservation Foundation, Jeff Cummings | Introspec LLC, Rosa Finsley | King’s Creek Gardens, Steve Waddill | Waddill Architecture Design Consulting, and Tim Hill and John Stock | McCaslin Hill Construction.

Nestled in a rare North Dallas historic site, the Frankford Church offers a beautiful location for weddings that is at once charming and simple.

Built in the late 19th century, our quaint church and its surrounding grounds have seen a great deal of history. Native Americans and pioneers in covered wagons camped in the nearby tall grasses of the Blackland Prairie.

Today, our beautiful location provides a pastoral backdrop for a lovely wedding ceremony that is reminiscent of more gracious times. Guests can enter the little white church and seat themselves in rich, mahogany colored pews, enjoying their surroundings as the natural light streams in from expansive arched windows. Beautiful views of the adjacent fields and flowers will only add to the venue’s beauty.

Exchange your vows beneath romantic pendant lighting, which illuminates the church’s carefully restored interior.

After the conclusion of your ceremony you can ring the church bell to announce your marriage.

Frankford Preservation Foundation welcomes weddings from all faith traditions. To learn more please call us at 972 383 9647 or visit www.frankfordpreservationfoundation.org/weddings/

Some Blackland Prairie wildflower goodness for your rainy but lovely Mother’s Day!

Spring reflections.

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us yesterday evening for our Spring Concert on the Prairie! The weather was picture perfect as was our beautiful Blackland Prairie! Thank you very much to the wonderful string quintet:
Swang Lin (violin), Molly Baer (violin), Amy Faires (violin), Désirée Elsevier (violin/viola) and William Clay (double bass) for your wonderful performance! Many thanks to our sponsor for your support!

Beautiful evening on the prairie for our Spring Concert! Can’t wait to see you! Walk ups welcome! $30 per ticket.

Join us next Monday, April 29th for our Spring Concert on the Prairie featuring an evening of Chamber Music. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the concert is from 7-8:30pm. Weather permitting, refreshments will be served after the performance behind the church. Enjoy the wonderful string quintet featuring:
Swang Lin, violin
Molly Baer, violin
Amy Faires, violin
Désirée Elsevier, violin/viola
William Clay, double bass

PROGRAM
J. Leclair Sonata for two violins No. 3
I. Adagio-Vivace
II. Adagio
III. Allegro

G. Chave 3 Duos for violin and double bass
I. Tango
II. Three in one
III. Perpetuum

A. Dvorak. Terzetto Op. 74
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Larghetto
III. Tema con variazioni

Selections of Bluegrass

G. Puccini / J. Milone A Bohemian Rhapsody

A. Piazzolla / J. Milone A Tango Suite
I. Retrato de Alfredo Gobbi
II. Vayamos de diablo
III. Oblivion IV. Libertango
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased via this link https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.networkforgood.com/events/67573-2024-spring-concert-on-the-prairie
We look forward to seeing you there!

As promised some more wonderful photos of our Spring Tour! Photo credits to .y.burford Our botanist tour guide Rich Jaynes knows of no other place in Texas where wild hyacinth bloom. Can you imagine this is what spring looked like on the Blackland Prairie thousands of years ago!

Please join us for our Spring Prairie Tour, this Saturday, April 13th from 4-6pm. You can reserve your space for the tour by clicking here https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/register-for-2024-spring-prairie-tour

During the tour, you will enjoy the beauty of our native North Texas Blackland Prairie in the Spring. The tour will be guided by master naturalist and botanist Rich Jaynes and landscape architect Rosa Finsley.

Every year we look forward to sharing our prairie tours with our friends and neighbors. Due to rising costs we suggest that you make a donation of $20.00 per person as you are able. All donations of any amount are welcome. Together, we can make it possible to host a Spring Prairie Tour we can all treasure this year!

You can make your donation by clicking on this link https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/220021-2024-frankford-spring-prairie-tour

Additionally we will be passing the offering plate during the introductory presentation in the church if you would prefer to make a donation this way.

Thanks for caring about Frankford.

Kathy Power
President, Frankford Preservation Foundation

When:
Saturday, April 13th from 4-6pm

Where:
Frankford Preservation Foundation, 17400 Muirfield Drive, Dallas, TX 75287
The tour will begin in the church.

Parking
Parking attendants will guide you.

Please join us for our Spring Prairie Tour, Saturday, April 13th from 4-6pm. You can reserve your space for the tour by clicking here https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/register-for-2024-spring-prairie-tour

During the tour, you will enjoy the beauty of our native North Texas Blackland Prairie in the Spring. The tour will be guided by master naturalist and botanist Rich Jaynes and landscape architect Rosa Finsley.

Every year we look forward to sharing our prairie tours with our friends and neighbors. Due to rising costs we suggest that you make a donation of $20.00 per person as you are able. All donations of any amount are welcome. Together, we can make it possible to host a Spring Prairie Tour we can all treasure this year!

You can make your donation by clicking here www.frankfordpreservationfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/220021-2024-frankford-spring-prairie-tour.

Additionally we will be passing the offering plate during the introductory presentation in the church if you would prefer to make a donation this way.

Thanks for caring about Frankford.

Kathy Power
President, Frankford Preservation Foundation

When:
Saturday, April 13th from 4-6pm

Where:
Frankford Preservation Foundation, 17400 Muirfield Drive, Dallas, TX 75287
The tour will begin in the church.

Parking
Parking attendants will guide you.

Save the date for our Spring Concert on the Prairie featuring an evening of Chamber Music. Monday, April 29th, doors open at 6:30pm, and the concert is from 7-8:30pm. Weather permitting, refreshments will be served after the performance behind the church. Enjoy the wonderful string quintet featuring:
Swang Lin, violin
Molly Baer, violin
Amy Faires, violin
Désirée Elsevier, violin/viola
William Clay, double bass

PROGRAM
J. Leclair Sonata for two violins No. 3
I. Adagio-Vivace
II. Adagio
III. Allegro

G. Chave 3 Duos for violin and double bass
I. Tango
II. Three in one
III. Perpetuum

A. Dvorak. Terzetto Op. 74
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Larghetto
III. Tema con variazioni

Selections of Bluegrass

G. Puccini / J. Milone A Bohemian Rhapsody

A. Piazzolla / J. Milone A Tango Suite
I. Retrato de Alfredo Gobbi
II. Vayamos de diablo
III. Oblivion IV. Libertango
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased via this link https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.networkforgood.com/events/67573-2024-spring-concert-on-the-prairie. We look forward to seeing you there!

Today’s “Flowers at Frankford” color palette is violet!

Today’s “Flower’s at Frankford” color palette is yellow!

Beautiful reflections.

Save the date for our Spring Concert on the Prairie featuring an evening of Chamber Music. Monday, April 29th, doors open at 6:30pm, and the concert is from 7-8:30pm. Weather permitting, refreshments will be served after the performance behind the church. Enjoy the wonderful string quintet featuring:
Swang Lin, violin
Molly Baer, violin
Amy Faires, violin
Désirée Elsevier, violin/viola
William Clay, double bass

PROGRAM
J. Leclair Sonata for two violins No. 3
I. Adagio-Vivace
II. Adagio
III. Allegro

G. Chave 3 Duos for violin and double bass
I. Tango
II. Three in one
III. Perpetuum

A. Dvorak. Terzetto Op. 74
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Larghetto
III. Tema con variazioni

Selections of Bluegrass

G. Puccini / J. Milone A Bohemian Rhapsody

A. Piazzolla / J. Milone A Tango Suite
I. Retrato de Alfredo Gobbi
II. Vayamos de diablo
III. Oblivion
IV. Libertango

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.networkforgood.com/events/67573-2024-spring-concert-on-the-prairie
We look forward to seeing you there!

Please join us for our Spring Prairie Tour, Saturday, April 13th from 4-6pm. You can reserve your space for the tour by clicking https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/register-for-2024-spring-prairie-tour

During the tour, you will enjoy the beauty of our native North Texas Blackland Prairie in the Spring. The tour will guided by master naturalist and botanist Rich Jaynes and landscape architect Rosa Finsley.

Every year we look forward to sharing our prairie tours with our friends and neighbors. Due to rising costs we suggest that you make a donation of $20.00 per person as you are able. All donations of any amount are welcome. Together, we can make it possible to host a Spring Prairie Tour we can all treasure this year!

You can make your donation by clicking https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/220021-2024-frankford-spring-prairie-tour
Additionally we will be passing the offering plate during the introductory presentation in the church if you would prefer to make a donation this way.

Thanks for caring about Frankford.

Kathy Power
President, Frankford Preservation Foundation

When:
Saturday, April 13, 2022 from 4-6pm

Where:
Frankford Preservation Foundation, 17400 Muirfield Drive, Dallas, TX 75287
The tour will begin in the church.

Parking
Parking attendants will guide you.

It may still be officially winter but we are channeling spring vibes here at Frankford on this beautiful, sunny day! Enjoy this wonderful photo montage of flowers coming our way when spring is officially sprung!

FRANKFORD STORIES - Where did the name “Frankford come from? Some early Frankford residents speculated that the name was chosen because it was descriptive of local conditions. A “ford” is a portion of a stream where the water is shallow enough and the banks low enough to made wading possible for man or animals. “Frank” can mean free with respect to conditions or absence of restrictions. Thus “Frankford” might mean a ford available for public use.

Caroline Drake Nix wrote in her 1900 autobiography that Julia and Warren Cotton’s three-year-old son Frank was the person for whom Frankford community was named. The Cottons came to Texas in 1857 around the time of the development of Frankford community.
~ Frances Bates Wells

SAVE THE DATE! Ticket link now open!
Join us for our Spring Concert on the Prairie featuring an evening of Chamber Music!
Monday, April 29th, doors open at 6:30pm, and the concert is from 7-8:30pm.
Info on the musicians and the selection of works coming soon!

The group will play two sets and, weather permitting, refreshments will be served during intermission behind the church.

TICKET INFORMATION
General admission – $30 per person

Purchase general admission tickets by clicking on this link https://frankfordpreservationfoundation.networkforgood.com/events/67573-2024-spring-concert-on-the-prairie?utm_campaign=dms_email_blast_3138115

General admission tickets also available online and at the door.
Children 5 to 15 – $10 per person
Children under 5 – free
Children’s tickets will be available at the door only. To reserve a space for your child, please call 972-383-9647. Leave a message with your name, phone number, and the number of children in your party.

All proceeds from the concert benefit the Frankford Preservation Foundation operating fund.

Save the date for our Spring Concert on the Prairie, an evening at Frankford with Chamber Music.
Monday, April 29th - Doors open at 6:30pm, concert is from 7-8:30 pm. List of performers, music to be played and ticket link coming soon! CultureMap Dallas Dallas Art News

Loving the blue skies we’ve been having! The prairie has a happy and peaceful feel to it today.

FRANKFORD STORIES - Here is the final part of the story of the Frankford Prairie as told by our President, Kathy Power. “In May 2011, as I addressed the Decoration Day crowd in the little church, I saw through the windows an unfamiliar man in his Sunday suit walking through the prairie. After the service I met this man. Rich Jaynes, native Blackland Prairie enthusiast and teacher, was fascinated by our prairie remnant. Before he left that day he implored me to allow the east meadow to grow. We did just that.

In early March 2012, photographer David Rogers, who had been taking pictures for a Frankford brochure, called me. “Have you been to Frankford lately?” I could sense the excitement and urgency in his voice. “The east meadow is covered with light blue flowers. You must come at once.” I hurried to Frankford where I found the east meadow awash in light lilac flowers that clung to seed stalks rising about a foot from the ground. Each plant by itself was beautiful. The hundreds, perhaps thousands grouped together were spectacular.

This newly discovered plant was soon identified as Camassia scilloides, or wild blue hyacinth. It is rather unusual to find it in abundance in North Texas but is sometimes found on limestone prairies, like the Frankford Prairie.

The discovery of big blue stem at Frankford convinced Rosa that we had a genuine remnant of prairie at Frankford while the emergence of the wild blue hyacinths convinced some of the neighbors that this puzzling project could have some merit. Seven years after their re-appearance the hyacinths each spring have become a greatly anticipated event. Neighbors and visitors from all over the Dallas area come to enjoy the fragile beauty of these remarkable flowers.”
Stayed tuned for more FRANKFORD STORIES in the coming weeks.

FRANKFORD STORIES: We hope you had a chance to read Part 1 and 2 of the story of the discovery of Frankford. Here is Part 3 as recounted by Frankford President, Kathy Power. “In 1852 W. C. (Captain) McKamy bought land from Peters Colonists in what is now southern Collin County and northern Dallas County. This land included Indian Springs on the banks of a tributary of White Rock Creek. On the site was an area still referred to today as “the wagon yard.” Native Americans camped there as early as the 1400s and settlers parked their covered wagons on that spot in the mid-1800s. Captain McKamy sold firewood and drinking water to the settlers that camped near Indian Springs.

Eventually, the town of Frankford grew around the everlasting springs. At the end of their lives, residents of the tiny community were laid to rest under the prairie grasses, thus beginning the formation of Frankford Cemetery.

In September 1873, Captain McKamy sold five acres east of the creek and Indian Springs to the White Rock Masonic Lodge for the building of a church. It is possible that McKamy was willing to sell the five acres to the Lodge because the limestone was so close to the surface and unsuitable for farming but would provide a solid foundation for a church. He and his wife, Rachel, were devout Methodists who held services in their home in the early years of Frankford.

Captain McKamy had not tilled that five-acre tract since he had bought it in 1852 and between 1873 and 2010 no one else broke ground on it. Starting in probably the late 1940s the site was mowed sporadically for events like Decoration Day. Though the tract was mowed, it was never plowed and the roots of its ancient plants lay under the surface until 2010 when they were finally given an opportunity to grow once again.” Stay tuned for the final part of the story next Monday!

FRANKFORD STORIES - In our last post, we hope you enjoyed Part 1 of the story of the discovery of our beloved prairie.
Here is Part 2 as told by our President, Kathy Wells Power. “About two weeks later, on a late Sunday afternoon, Rosa and I met at Frankford and I showed her the unidentified plants. By that time they had sent up seed stalks the tops of which looked like turkey feet. Rosa gasped. “This is big blue stem,” she replied. She explained that big blue stem is one of the “Big Four” grasses of the Blackland Prairie which can grow up to eight feet tall. It is unusual to find it indigenous to an urban site today. There it was, however—a solid mass of big blue, sturdy and green despite the intense heat and drought. It seemed delighted we had given it a chance to grow after so many years of mowing.

It was at that moment, with the setting summer sun casting its light on our west meadow that Rosa knew what we had was “the real deal.” Under Rosa’s guidance my helpers and I continued our work reinvigorated and with a new-found sense of purpose. All the while, the plants, native and not, continued to come up. Still today it is hard to describe my feelings during those amazing first years of work in the prairie. It was, as naturalist Matt White has said, like discovering a lost world. We forged on.

As the native plants sprang up all around us and we continued to pull the non-natives, I wondered about the history of the Frankford site. Could it be that this little patch of prairie existed because it had escaped the plow in some miraculous way? The historic deeds for the church site held some of the answers.”
Stay tuned for Part 3 of the story this Friday!

FRANKFORD STORIES - Do you know the story of how our beautiful prairie was discovered?

Here is Part I of the story as shared by the president of Frankford Preservation Foundation, Kathy Wells Power.

“On a blisteringly hot day in August 2009, landscape architect Rosa Finsley came to the Frankford site to talk about creating a native landscape around the old Frankford Church. During her initial visit Rosa observed some rare native plants in the recently mowed fields between the church and cemetery. Intrigued, she continued to study the fields during the nine month church restoration.

In late May 2010 Rosa approached me about discontinuing the mowing of parts of our fields “just to see what might come up.” We selected a portion of our west meadow not far from the church to begin our experiment. In short order, plants of all kinds pushed their way through the black soil.

As our experiment continued we noticed a significant number of non-native plants encroaching on the native plants. Rosa advised that if we did not remove the non-natives the project would not be successful. Two excellent helpers, trained by Rosa, and I worked most Fridays and Saturdays for three years during the growing season removing plants that Rosa had identified as non-natives and undesirable. Neighbors who walked our site wondered what on earth we were doing.

In late June 2010 while removing non-natives my co-workers and I noticed a new grass distinctly different from others in the meadow. It had rich, waxy, bluish-green, long blades that arced out to the ground in a circular pattern. Standing in the middle of the meadow I called Rosa and described this “new” plant. “Should we pull it, Rosa?” Her reply: “I’m not sure what you are describing but don’t touch it until I return to Frankford.”

Stay tuned for Part II of Kathy’s story this Wednesday.
Photo - Kathy Power and Rosa Finsley.