The work of a prominent self-made Polk County home builder and businessman has the caught the attention of a national museum.
- Lawrence Bernard Brown (1856-1941) was a prominent Polk resident
- Born into slavery, L.B. Brown was a builder and businessman
- Visitors can tour the historic home, which is recognized by the NMAAHC
Pictures of Lawrence Bernard Brown, his home, and one of his home's foundation pillars now sit in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“We’re very proud to note that the legacy of L.B. Brown is enshrined in the Smithsonian’s legacy in the African American museum in Washington D.C,” said Clifton Lewis, who worked with the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation of Bartow, Inc. to restore Brown’s mansion.
Brown’s mansion, which is now a museum, takes visitors back in time to 1892, when L.B. Brown built it.
“This house represents Florida’s history," said Lewis. "It is a clear representation that African Americans were involved in the settlement and development of the state."
Lewis gives tours of the home by appointment. He said Brown built the home when phosphate mining became popular in Polk County. He called Brown the typical Florida pioneer, who catered to those workers.
“He built homes for people who needed shelter," explained Lewis. "He basically rented those homes although occasionally he’d do rent-to-own. He also silvered mirrors, he repaired umbrellas, and he loaned people money with interest."
Brown was born into slavery, and Lewis said he never had any formal schooling.
“He had in effect lifted himself up by his own bootstraps so to speak and had become a very prominent citizen of Polk County and relatively wealthy,” Lewis said.
Lewis said his organization is now looking to find a suitable repository for L.B. Brown’s records, such as his ledger and old bibles. He hopes the Smithsonian will add them to their collection.
To visit the L.B. Brown mansion, call (863) 944-6136 to arrange a tour or visit the home during the L.B. Brown Heritage Festival February 10-12.