Democrat article re. opening of History Center on April 26, 2015
FUTURE OF HISTORY Ribbon cut on $5 million center, which is now open to host events by Suzannah Couch [email protected] The Brown County History Center is officially open. A crowd joined members of local government and the Brown County Historical Society for a ribbon cutting and reception April 26. Historical society President Ivan Lancaster, Treasurer Alice Lorenz and Pioneer Women President Brenda Main all took turns cutting the ribbon, which was handmade by the Pioneer Women. “This day itself is history. Yesterday is history.
We want to preserve every day right here in this building,” town council President Charles “Buzz” King told the large crowd gathered outside the center on East Gould Street. People watched over the ceremony from the large windows on the second floor of the center, also. “I smile every day when I drive by this wonderful building,” Diana Biddle said. Biddle is not only a county commissioner but also the Brown County historian and a genealogist. She works in the County Office Building across the street on the second floor.
“Welcome to the neighborhood,” she told society members. The Grover Brown Award was given to Paul Bay and Sons Masonry. The company installed more than 100 tons of Brown County stone in and on the building. The society established the award for outstanding contributions to Brown County history. It is named for Grover Brown, who was a teacher, principal, and superintendent of Brown County Schools.
It honors a family or business that helps preserve or “pass on the tradition and history of Brown County,” Lancaster said. Past recipients include Andy Rogers, the Brown County Public Library and the Jack McDonald family. “Their work to find the best stone possible and carefully place each piece on the facade and fireplace will be recognized for years to come as an example of fine craftsmanship carried on by five generations of Brown County stone masons,” Lancaster said. An art glass quilt was unveiled during the ceremony in the History Center. It was created by Brown County Historical Society Vice President Pete Bullard.
Bullard incorporated the names of 466 donors who contributed to the construction of the History Center. Fundraising for the $5 million project started six years ago.