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Indiana Bicentennial Celebration 2016
Brown County
Q&A with County Coordinator Brooke Weichselfelder
What do you consider the key accomplishment(s) of your county's bicentennial celebration?
- The celebration brought people of all walks together. Seeing the community come together for an event like this was inspiring.
What Legacy Project do you most like to tell people about, and why?
- The Hilly Half. This was a successful first annual event that will continue to bring people to Brown County for years to come. The inaugural year had over 500 participants and about 85 volunteers.
Describe a highlight or most memorable moment related to your county's bicentennial celebration.
- Torch Relay day was very memorable to all that were involved.
How/where are you preserving information and artifacts related to your county's celebration?
- The Bison is on display at the Brown County Public Library.
Total number of volunteers who participated.
- 10.
Estimated total attendance.
- 500-600.
Brown County Legacy Projects
- 53rd Annual Spring Blossom Parade
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Art in the Park
- Brown County YMCA Hilly Half
- Brown Hill Project – Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Brown County State Park – Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Clay Day in the Park
- National Maple Syrup Festival
- Origins
- The Breeze Bends the Grass
- The Historic Brown County Art Gallery: 90 Years of Art
- Trevlac Bluffs Preserve – Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Trevlac Bluffs Preserve – Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Windfall Dancers, Inc.
- Yellowwood State Forest Addition - Bicentennial Nature Trust
- Yellowwood State Forest – Bicentennial Nature Trust
Photos from Brown County's Bicentennial Activities / Event
Brown County Bicentennial Committee
- Jane Ellis, Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Melanie McClung, Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Diana Biddle, Brown County Commissioner
- Kathy Sparks, Brown County History Center
- Keith Baker, Brown County Council Member
Brown County Facts
By 1828 the Indiana State Legislature had divided the land of present day Brown County between Monroe, Jackson, and Bartholomew counties. In 1835 settlers presented a petition to the Legislature requesting a new county.
On February 4, 1836, both the House and Senate passed a bill providing for the formation from western Bartholomew, eastern Monroe, and northern Jackson counties of a county to be named for Gen. Jacob Brown, who defeated the British at the Battle of Sackett’s Harbor in the War of 1812.
About the Courthouse: The building was completed in 1875.
Brown County is traditionally an artist colony.
Visit the T.C. Steele State Historic Site.
Discover this hidden Brown County gem. Attracted by its natural beauty, famed Hoosier Group impressionist artist Theodore C. Steele (1847-1926) was the first major artist to settle in Brown County.
In 1907, artist T. C. Steele built a studio near Belmont in rural Brown County and Adolph Shulz came to Nashville and thus began the Brown County Art Colony.
Brown County State Park offers many advantages
A lodge, cabins for rent, picnic areas, swimming pool, and miles of trails. Millions of families visit each year.
Enjoy the outdoors — mountain bike, camp, hike, swim, fish, ride horseback, picnic and enjoy the natural beauty of the park located in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. The Lodge in the park includes an indoor aquatic center with a water slide and whirlpool.
Also visit Yellowwood State Forest, the Hoosier National Forest, Lake Monroe and Lake Lemon.
“Lest We Forget – History of Veterans Affairs in Brown County”
The Brown County Community Foundation is proud to offer the recently completed history of Veterans Affairs in Brown County, Indiana researched and compiled by Michael O’Hara.
This history spans the years of 1836-2012 and contains 70 photographs of Brown County citizens and landmarks as well as 40 historic documents.
“Lest We Forget” is available on CD and will be an invaluable source of information to anyone interested in history, genealogy, or veteran’s affairs. The CD is currently available at the Brown County Community Foundation for a minimum donation of $25.00. All donations will go toward the Larry C. Banks Bronze Star Scholarship.
County Seat: Nashville
Year Organized: 1836
Square Miles: 311.98
