BARTOW, Fla. (WFLA)- This Black History Month, News Channel 8 is highlighting leaders in Tampa Bay who have made great impacts in their communities.
One of those individuals is Lawrence Bernard Brown, a self-taught carpenter born into slavery who built dozens of homes in Bartow.
One of those homes is known as the L.B. Brown House Museum, a two-story Victorian-style house built in 1892.
According to L.B. Brown House Director Clifton Lewis, the historic home was almost demolished.
“Mr. and Mrs. Brown, although they had seven children, those seven children produced one grandchild,” Lewis explained. “That grandchild had no children so when his daughter died, the house became abandoned.”
Lewis also said the City of Bartow and its residents played a key role in saving the home through restoration efforts.
“It took some time because we wanted to be certain that anything that we did mirrored what Mr. Brown had done,” Lewis said.
Visitors can now walk through the house, where pieces of the original wallpaper and even old plaster are displayed.
Tours can be scheduled by appointment by calling 863-330 3122 or emailing lbbrownmuseum@yahoo.com.
The Museum will host the L.B. Brown Heritage Festival this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 470 L. B. Brown Ave. in Bartow. Click here for festival details.
