Paul Brown was unanimously elected at a recent board of directors’ meeting to be the incoming president for the Rowan Museum.
While this is his second term on The Rowan Museum board his interest in history, family and community, goes back a number of generations.
W.A. Brown was one of the original eight trustees of the Brown Fisher Association that was organized in 1925.
W.A.’s son, Dodd Brown, not only helped to save the Old Stone House, but was also the president of the Brown Fisher Association in 1955-56.
Dodd’s son, Ed Brown, drew up the house plans for the docent quarters at the Old Stone House and served as president of the Brown Fisher Association 1963-64. Paul Brown, Ed’s son, is the current president of the Brown Fisher Association.
Paul is an eighth-generation descendant of Michael Braun through Michael’s son James.
Paul Brown is vice president and general manager of W.A. Brown & Son Inc.
He graduated from Salisbury High School and received a degree from Appalachian State University in 1981.
Brown is charter secretary and past president of the Rowan Rotary Club in Salisbury where he has been a member for the past 20 years. He serves on the RCCC Advisory Board for the Industrial Management Technology and Industrial Engineering programs. He was appointed to the Rowan Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees in 2005. He is currently on the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, currently the Chair of the Business Development Division. He is also a member and Past Chairman of the Rowan County Park Commission.
He has been a member of the Appalachian State University Corporate Committee and the Chancellor’s Society since 1994.
Brown’s past community and civic affiliations have included service as a member of the Elizabeth Hanford Dole Center Red Cross Board of Directors, the Piedmont Players Board of Governors, and serving as charter secretary and past president of the Antique Automobile Club of America-Uwharrie Chapter.
Community projects have included assisted in the project to improve the Salisbury and Rowan Firemen’s Memorial and working with the fundraising group on the Abundant Living facility. He also participates in activities that support the growth and promotion of Downtown Salisbury. He is closely affiliated with the N.C. Transportation Museum and works to help promote the history and education of transportation through various methods.
Brown is married to Melissa M. Brown, and they have two children, Kristina and Patrick.
He will work closely with Kaye Brown Hirst, the museum’s executive director, and the board of directors, in planning and implementing the museum’s programs and services to the community. Hirst is also an eighth-generation descendant of Michael Braun.
Other board officers elected include Richard “Dick” Huffman, vice president; Carol Palmer, secretary; and George Kluttz, treasurer.
McGill studio
Students of Frances McGill performed in a program entitled “Christmas Jazz” on Dec. 13 at Salisbury’s First Presbyterian Church.
McGill also performed.
Others featured were jazz saxophonist and flutist John Alexander, singers Wendy Weant and Debbie Hubbard, and pianist Flora Abernethy-Lester.Students performing were: Annabelle Nagy, Madeline Nagy, Rennie Pearson, Ashley Jamison, Grace Russell, Mary Hunter Russell, Jacob Crosby, Ginny Weant, Salem Hockett, Eleanor Alcorn, and Carmen McGill.
Student Clark Alcorn performed his own arrangement, “Clark’s Jazz Bell Carol,” based on Leontovich’s “Carol of the Bells.”
Sarah Hall compiles People and Places. Contact her at 704-7974271 or shall@salisbury post.com.