Kansas town's $4.6 million gift: a library rises from the past
For over a century, the residents of Frontenac, Kansas, a town of 3,000, quietly navigated life without a public library – a civic oversight now dramatically reversed by an extraordinary act of generosity. A phone call in 2019 irrevocably altered the town's trajectory, unveiling a legacy that would reshape its future.
A trust, a vision, and a legal hurdle
The unexpected windfall arrived courtesy of the late Richard and Jeanette Tavella, lifelong Frontenac natives who, decades ago, relocated to Kansas City. Jeanette, a librarian until her death in 2019, and Richard, who passed the year prior, bequeathed their estate – a staggering $4.6 million – to their hometown, stipulating its use for the creation of Frontenac's first public library. It was, as city administrator John Zafuta put it, a genuine surprise.
However, the path to literary enlightenment wasn't entirely straightforward. An obscure state law limiting municipal library funding threatened to derail the project. Zafuta found himself testifying before a state legislative committee during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, pleading for an exemption. The unanimous vote that followed was nothing short of a reprieve, clearing the way for construction to begin.
Building a community hub
“At first, the scale of the undertaking seemed immense,” reminisced City Clerk Jayme Mjelde, “but once we started, momentum built quickly.” Leading the charge is Seth Nutt, a local teacher, historian, and Frontenac native who embraced the role of library director with characteristic zeal. “It was a no-brainer,” he stated, “an opportunity to reinvest in the community I love.” Nutt’s vision for the library extended beyond a repository of books; he aimed to cultivate a “community living room,” a gathering place for all ages.
The result, opened in November 2025, is far more than just shelves filled with books. Boasting over 17,000 titles, the Frontenac Public Library also offers story time for children, cooking classes for teenagers, and book clubs for adults. A unique feature is the McKay Street Coffeehouse and, perhaps most significantly, the Heritage Hall Museum – the town's first dedicated museum, also under Nutt's stewardship and showcasing Frontenac's rich history. As fire lieutenant Justin Ziesenis, who brought his daughter for a book selection, observed, “We definitely needed it.”
Unraveling the mystery of the donors
The generosity of the Tavellas was matched by their anonymity. Neither Richard nor Jeanette had public obituaries, and no living relatives could be located. Nutt's persistent curiosity led him to a poignant discovery: a trove of personal belongings that revealed photographs of the couple with an older couple. Tracing the connection through the daughter of that couple, Nutt learned of their wedding day - and the location of the Tavellas' final resting place, a mere stone’s throw from the library.
“It’s bittersweet knowing they never witnessed the library’s impact,” Nutt reflected, “but I’m committed to ensuring their legacy shines through. They entrusted us with this gift, and I want to build something they would be proud of.” Jeanette's background as a librarian, Nutt believes, instilled a clear understanding of a library’s potential, envisioning it as a space for connection, volunteerism, and community enrichment.
The library's team is just beginning, with plans to expand their offerings and reach. “Knowing that generations of Frontenac children – and those from surrounding communities – will have access to this place for years to come… the ripple effect is something we’re only beginning to grasp.”