Museum Backstory
1875: Browne Hall was built by Dr. Thomas Moses as his private residence. He was a faculty member at Urbana University and later served as president. He retired to Waltham, MA and his home was purchased and continued as a private home. After his death in 1917, John James, who gave the original acreage for the college, re-purchased the home and donated it to Urbana University to be used for “educational purposes.” This photograph was taken around 1938.
1985: This is a picture of Browne Hall in 1985, prior to undergoing Major renovations. Browne Hall has been used as a dormitory, classrooms, offices and in the 1960’s it housed the kitchen and dining area for students and faculty on the first floor.
Mid 1990: This is Browne Hall after the major renovations were completed. Notice that the roof of the porch on the east side has been removed and the whole building has been
re-roofed and guttered.
2020: Drone picture of Browne Hall taken in the fall of 2020. It shows the exterior changes and renovations made by Franklin University after it purchased the University in 2014. Major changes include the removal of the east-side porch roof, which was replaced by a cement “patio” and handicapped access. This is now the main entrance.
2021: In June, The Johnny Appleseed Foundation purchased the Browne Hall. This purchase was made possible by a generous anonymous donor who had a past affiliation with Urbana University. By September organizing was well underway, and the Museum received a new roof and landscaping.
2022: In May, new Johnny Appleseed signage was erected, marking the front entrance and exit of the property.
