Brown County Historical Society

History of Brown County Historical Society

Debate started 29 years ago concerning the future of the Memorial Auditorium in Hiawatha, Kansas.  The 68 year old building was deteriorating and owned by the City of Hiawatha.  A Special Act passed the Kansas Legislature allowing the city to have a Special Bond Issue of up $1,ooo,ooo for either refurbishing or destruction of this historic building constructed after World War I.  On April 4, 1978 the Brown County Commission appointed a 9 person board to orgainze and then serve as the Brown County Historical Society Board of Directors. 

The directed purpose of the organization was to be the preservation and recording of items and documents that had been a part o f the history of Brown County, Kansas and to form a non-profit historical society with membership available to the public. 

After a lot of hard word by many people the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws prepared by the board with assistance of Brown County Attorney Samuel Schuetz was approved for filing by the Brown County Commissioners.  Shortly thereafter on November 17, 1980 the Hiawatha Memorial Auditorium was deeded to the Brown County Historical Society which was off and running at full speed.

Many exciting things have happened in the almost 30 years since its formation and thousands of volunteer hours have been spent in supporting this most wonderful project.  Proof of this succes is the Historical Society's downtown Memorial Auditorium Musem and the AG Museum & Windmill Lane located on the edge of town.