To approach this goal, we maintain the Pioneer Museum in downtown Nashville, The Bailey/Reeve Archives at our Society building and present a monthly program on local history.

In September, 2007, as the Brown County Historical Society celebrated its' fiftieth anniversary, the Society was proud to present its' plan for the future to the community.

Since the initial meeting at the Brown County Art Gallery on September 16, 1957, the Historical Society has grown from 30 to nearly 300 members. Meetings for many years were held in members’ homes, at the Art Gallery, in local churches and other places outside the county. In 1964 the Society purchased 14.6 acres, the property of Joseph Tutschku, one mile west of the Old Helmsburg Road on top Watton Hill with the intention of establishing a Pioneer Village there.

It quickly became evident that this location was not ideal, and the property was sold. In 1970 the Orchard Hill bowling alley was purchased and has been home for many meetings, bazaars, exhibitions, antique shows, quilt shows and community events ever since. The Pioneer Village downtown was opened during the 1976 bicentennial.

Plans for the new History Center adjacent to the Pioneer Village provide for additional museum space for non-pioneer exhibits, a large meeting/community room, a bright and open learning center, and an expanded storage and reading area for the archived records. The Society's collection of records and artifacts will be better preserved in secure, climate-controlled areas where they can be readily accessed and that will allow room for the ever-expanding collection. Included in the plan is sufficient parking, Brown County appropriate landscaping and an expansion of the Pioneer Village to possibly include a schoolhouse, church and an example of the orchard sheds that once were so common in the county.

We foresee these areas being used for classes, demonstrations of pioneer skills and arts, and possibly a farmer's market, as well as for membership meetings, genealogical and historical research.

Can you help us reach this goal? Please click here for pledge information.

The Reeve Family Study Index by John Hamblin is now available. Check out the download on the History and Genealogy page.

Since history is what we are all about,
you'll find a brief history of Brown County, Indiana here.

Take a virtual tour of the Brown County Courthouse courtesy of the Indiana Courts website by clicking on the link below

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