Work to install a new roof on the Brown County Museum of History Annex wrapped up this week thanks to support from the county, community organizations, local businesses and private donors.

Officials from the Brown County Museum of History said that they have been in desperate need of a new roof for some time to protect the historical artifacts housed in the annex building.   The roof developed leaks over the last several years, damaging the building and some of its contents.

In April, Brown County Museum of History President Beverly Norris and civic leader Putter Jarvis requested and were granted $10,000 from Brown County Commissioners to help with the roof replacement.   That, combined with previous donations and a sizable anonymous donor contribution, made the roof replacement possible.

“The work will be completed this week by Lydick-Hooks Roofing,” Norris said.  “The Museum of History was pleased to award the contract to a local firm, who donated back part of the bid amount in support of the museum.”

“Lydick-Hooks Roofing was fortunate enough to be able to give back some of the estimated expenses  to help out as much as we could,” said Lydick-Hooks Roofing General Manager Jim Merriman, Jr. “We feel this community needs a facility like the museum to help show Brownwood’s history to both young and old.  For us, community pride is always a good investment.”

Norris said that with the completion of the new roof, the museum can now focus on other projects and explore new ideas on future development.

“This is a happy day,” said Norris.  “This sets the stage for the future of the museum.  Now we can begin work on the interior space—we have plans for new and larger exhibits, especially designed to feature the Camp Bowie World War II collection.  We are so appreciative of all those who made the new roof possible.”

Contributions to the new roof were made by Brown County, Putter and Roxie Jarvis, The Chatfield Assisted Living, Pecan Valley Genealogical Society, Brownwood Woman’s Club, Landmark Life Insurance Company, Brown County Historical Society, VFW Post 3278, Care Nursing Center, Brown County Historical Commission, Oak Ridge Manor and an Anonymous Donor.

Pictured from left to right:  Putter Jarvis; Ronnie Lappe, Brown County Historical Commission;  Wanda Furgason, Executive Director of the Early Chamber of Commerce and Museum of History Board Member; Ken Harris, Museum of History Board Member; Beverly Norris, Museum of History Board Member;  Gary Worley, Brown County Commissioner; Donnie Lappe, Brown County Historical Society; Jim Merriman Jr., Lydick-Hooks Roofing; Danny Burchett, Lydick-Hooks Roofing; and Wayne Shaw, Brown County Commissioner.