Robert Brown, Lakewood, has been named 2013 Oconto County Historical Society Volunteer of the Year for his work with the Holt and Balcom Logging Camp Museum.
Brown, with the support of his wife, Pam, played an integral part in saving the oldest logging camp in America still sitting where it was built.
Shortly after moving to Lakewood in 2006, Brown joined the McCauslin Lions and answered Norb Langer’s call for help with school visits offered each spring to area fourth-graders. Being a history buff and willing to spend some time sharing that love with others, Brown volunteered to lead tours at the camp.
He quickly became more and more involved. He spent untold hours reading and researching the history of logging and the legacy of the camp to make the tours as informative and authentic as possible for students and visitors. He and Langer painted the inside of the cookshack to give it a fresh look. He and Chris Goetz sorted, cleaned and repositioned the artifacts to make them more organized and accessible.
When the museum’s renovation began in 2007, Brown used his experience in finance to help plan for Phase I: roof replacement. During the next six years, he worked with Langer and Kathleen Marsh to not only restore the site to its former glory but also ensure the camp’s existence into the future.
Whether it involved moving artifacts, consulting with the various subcontractors, doing light carpentry and repairs, helping with fundraisers or offering moral support, Brown got the job done.
Since 2009, when Brown accepted the role of camp manager, he has served as liaison to the schools. He organizes and conducts tours, oversees the museum’s finances, and helps with special events and programs. His love for the camp is contagious, and he is willing to offer private tours annually from snowmelt to snowfall.
Categories
