Professor of Physics at Concordia University in Seward, Dr. Brent Royuk addressed the Seward Rotary Club on July 15th at the Jones National Bank and Trust Auditorium with a power point presentation on the popular program he presented during the Seward Fourth of July celebration this year-his historic house and home located at 142 Seward Street. Royuk, was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, graduated from Concordia University in Seward, earned a Masters from Southern Illinois and a Doctorate of Physics Education from UNL. He is a self-proclaimed “History Enthusiast,” and presented background on the history of Seward that led up to the building of his home. He spoke on the varied and interesting history of the home and the events that led up to the building of the hundred + year old home, built in 1908! Royuk called the research of his home a “Detective Story,” deciding to find out all he could about the home, after moving in to the house in 2008. He spoke on previous families that lived in the house and discovered the home was originally built to be the parsonage for the First Congregational Church in Seward. The house was built with funds donated Mrs. Stephen Douglas of Seward, who later donated the house to the congregation. He presented slides of plats and maps on historic Seward, showed photos of the historic churches in Seward- that surrounded the area near his home at the turn of the century and presented the home’s interior, showing examples of the beautiful woodwork and sliding doors on selected slides. Royuk shared his love for historic Seward and his quest for old postcards and photos of Seward. His presentation was cut short due to running out of time and he was invited back to finish the story on Wednesday, August 15th for the wrap up to his presentation at the regular noon meeting of the Seward Rotary Club. Many of the photos can be found at rppc.royuk.com |
