Brown County
Historical Society

This year marks the 125th year celebration since the organization of Brown County. The Historical Society is proud to be participants in this notable occasion. Come join in the fun. We will be having a walking history tour of old business places that have been in business over the last 125 years.

Brown County Historical Society and Genealogy Center 1 block north of Hiway 20 on Old Hiway 7
mailing address:
339 North Ash
Ainsworth, Ne. 69210

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Who We Are

Mayor Clyde Burdick appointed a Committee in early 1973
to organize a historical society or organization
to preserve the history of the area.

Vance Nelson, curator of the Fort Robinson museum and a member of theprofessional staff
of the Nebraska State Historical Society,
met March 1, 1973 with Henry Miles, Gerald Skinner and the Mayor.

A slate of temporary officers composed of Wiley Lentz, Mary Mulligan and Clayton Bejot,
were named to proceed with ground work necessary for the formation of such an organiztion.

On April 6,1973 the group met to elect officers and
directors and to vote on By-Laws.

On June 3, 1973 the society met with the following present:
Mary Mulligan, President, Wiley Lentz, Vice President,
and at this meeting Sharon Brede was elected Secretary-Treasurer
and the President appointed
Ann Wales as ccorresponding secretary and Nellie Hulshizer as new reporter,
and Paul Bejot to have charge of the scrap book.

The Fred Coleman heirs donated their family home, located two miles east of Ainsworth,
to the Society. The home was moved into Ainsworth October 8, 1985.

The first open house was a walk through December 21,1986, to show the house to the public.

The Brown County Historical Society, is a non-profit organizatiion.
The Society operates with out tax funds. We have food sales, raffles
and other projects to raise money.

The Society held meetings in members homes or at the Courthouse
from 1973 until December 9, 1986.

The Society collects not only area memorablila and history,
but are also collecting genealogy and family histories.
There were 4 charter members and 97 members.
This information was provided by Marilyn Calver.

For information about the Historical Society or the Museum's, please write:

Darlene Amos,President
402-273-4235
email: damos@nntc.net

Marilyn Calver, Secretary
402-387-2427 or

Carol Larson
402-387-2061

The Society meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
The hours vary during the year.
They are at 7:30 P.M. October thru April, and at 8:00P.M. May thru September,
at the Brown County Historical Society-Coleman House
located 1 block north of Hiway 20
on Old Hiway 7 on the left side.

New Memebers Welcome!

Yearly membership $10.00 per year. What a bargain!

Business Membership $25.00.Still a bargain!

or Lifetime Memberships are Available! $100.00.Fantastic Price!

Payable to: Brown County Historical Society
339 North Ash
Ainsworth, Nebraska, 69210.

If you are a former Brown County resident,
please show your support for all that the Brown County Historical Society does
to preserve the past history of our families and the community, and join this wonderful and dedicated group.
Your membership dollars will be a vital help in furthing this work.

Group Tours are available by appointment.

GENEALOGICAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Please contact us for your research possibilities.

We have a large selection of family histories and information available.

Basic Research of family files and cemetery records
(Approx. 1 hr.):
$5.00 Requested donation

Research of newspapers or census records on microfilm:
$5.00 requested donation

Photocopies are .10 requested donation, payable in advance for extensive searches.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Brown County Historical Society collects, preserves,
studies and interprets materials that tell the history of Brown County, Nebraska.
The purpose of the museum is to collect artifacts, manuscripts, social & cultural history.
To make available the study of collections for research
and other use by the general public,
register and preserve social and economic history of Brown County,
and to provide exhibits, tours, programs and educational services on a regular basis.

Admission is free to all our Society's buildings, with donations accepted.

COLEMAN HOUSE

Located 1 block north of Hiway 20 on old Hiway 7.
This house was donated to the Society by the Fred & Alta Coleman family.
It is maintained and furnished by the Historical Society, with donations by it's members and relatives of local families.
Within this museum are: Old clothing-Circa:late early 1900's to present.
Old books, maps, family files, pictures, furniture, newspapers,tools, quilts,household items and dishes.
There is also an old pump organ donated by Cash Hagan of Johnstown, NE.

DIXON HOUSE

Located on Hiway 20, this is an early 1910's style house donated by the Dixon Family.
Located inside is a collection of old typewritter's, Ainsworth High Sschool Trophy's, camera's, copy machine,projector's, old clothing collections and old kitchen furnishings. The inside of the house is in original condition.

This house was made of locally made cement blocks at that time.
This is a Work In Progress!!

Located next door is the
OLD GAS STATION.

Very small old style gas station with pumps and with other station memoribilia. The station was run by Ab Henerson but when the Dixon family bought it in 1942, the station had been closed. This is a Work In Progress!!

PARADISE VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT #53 SCHOOLHOUSE.

Located south of Ainsworth. This school was leased to the Brown County Historical Society under a 99 year lease by Duane & Lois Lewis. Contact Darrel Steele for Directions.

BOOKS AVAILABLE

The Brown County Historical Society has reprinted the "Pioneer Stories of Brown , Keya Paha And Rock Counties in Nebraska" Book, published in 1980.
For more informatin, contact the Brown County Historical Society, P.O.Box 124, Ainsworth, NE 69210
Phone # 402-387-2427

The Brown County Historical Society has printed the book "The Postal History of Brown County, Ne.", which includes the history from late 1800's to the present time for all of the Brown County Post Offices with pictures of many of the post offices. This book was written and compiled by Maynard Harr, retired postal employee from Ainsworth, Ne.
For information contact Maynard Harr
Ainsworth, Ne. 69210
Phone # 402-387-2717

QUILTING
The Society Ladies and friends do beautiful quilting.
Please contact us about doing your quilting for a donation.

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Brown County Historical Society

This year marks the 125th year celebration since the organization of Brown County. The Historical Society is proud to be participants in this notable occasion. Come join in the fun. We will be having a walking history tour of old business places that have been in business over the last 125 years.