The Story
Making History
Built in 1845 as Center Brook Farm, this property has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Residence of known abolitionists Charles & Julia Brown, it is a documented stop on the Under Ground Railroad.
"I have been taught from my cradle to despise slavery and will never forget to teach my children, if any I should ever have, the same lesson, for
Tis Heaven's high gift, 'tis Nature's great decree,
That none be Slave whom God himself made free"
-Ephraim Brown
Father of Charles Brown
11-19-1807
Hiram College
Charles & Julia were very involved in the Disciples of Christ Church. The North Bloomfield Assembly of God Church was built on their property in 1849 as a Disciples of Christ Church, and Charles was an elder. In 1850, the Disciples of Christ would form a college named Western Reserve Eclectic Institute. Isaac Errett was the Bloomfield Pastor who lived with the Brown's and A.S. Hayden had a Brother in North Bloomfield whom he would often visit. Judge King was Julia's father. In 1867, they would change the name to Hiram College.
Slavery
Center Brook Manor is currently owned by Roger & Heather Peterson with the end goal of operating it as a Living History Site. Restoration work is currently going forward bringing Center Brook Manor back to its 1840's splendor.
"I visited Bloomfield, where I found that the reading of my drama a year ago in an adjoining county had created an impression in my favor, and I was hospitably entertained in the princely mansion of Charles Brown, esquire, who obtained at his own expense the Disciple Church for my second lecture"
-William Wells Brown
November 12, 1857
(William Wells Brown was a former slave and the
first Black Published Author)
Civil War & Center Brook
During the Civil War, Leicester King and his family called Center Brook Home. Lieutenant King served in the 7th Ohio Infantry.
After the War, Corporal John McAdoo who served in the 4th Indiana Light Artillery took ownership.
The King's
Judge Leicester King was the father of Julia King Brown and Lieutenant Leicester King. Judge King was an ardent abolitionist, a United States Vice Presidential Candidate and worked non-stop to repeal the "Black Laws" of the 1850's.
Judge King died at Center Brook in 1858
Outreach
We host various living history presentations available to the public. Keeping up to date with our email list, our facebook page or our local postings are the best way to stay informed on our events.
Thank You
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you.
"After all, if we don't save our own history, who will?"