The 2014 Cole County Historical Society Christmas ornament is now available at locations throughout Jefferson City.
The round ornament honors former Gov. B. Gratz Brown and First Lady Mary Gunn Brown. Mary Gunn Brown was born in 1842 in the society's home at 109 and 111 Madison St. History relates that this is where Benjamin Brown first saw Mary Gunn. The property stayed in the Gunn family until 1881.
The Browns were the first couple to live in the Executive Mansion in 1871. It was apparent that a new mansion was needed, and Gov. Brown met with architects and builders selecting Alfred Piquenard and George Ingham Barnett as the architects. Gottleib Martin was chosen as the builder.
Their gift of four large granite columns on the portico from the quarry in Iron County began a tradition of each first family leaving a gift.
Along with the building of the mansion, Brown also commissioned the architects and builders to design and build the row houses across from the mansion. The purpose was to provide a temporary residence for his mother-in-law and sister-in-law, as well as his own family. This is the present location of the Cole County Historical Society.
Mary Gunn's father, Calvin Gunn, was a mayor in Jefferson City and a state printer. Brown came from a political family in Frankfort, Kentucky. The couple had five children.
The ornament is on sale for $15 at Samuel's Tuxedos, Cole County Historical Society, Southbank, SuperHair, Midwest Travel, Merle Norman, Kas A. Design, Carrie's Hallmark and Saffee's.