Brownsville Historical Society

01/26/2026

01/02/2026

Exciting!

12/21/2025

“NORTH & SOUTH”
We enjoyed watching Mr. Thomas McKennan (Robb Rhodes, left) of Pennsylvania & Mr. Alexander Sterling (Brian Brashear, right) of Louisiana debate secession and rising tensions between the states in December of 1860 tonight at Nemacolin Castle.
It was an interesting debate with several amusing exchanges as both defended thier states throughout the evening. We were able to both laugh and learn at the same time.

Interestingly and coincidentally, these two debated secession this evening on the 165th anniversary of South Carolina’s vote to secede, December 20, 1860.

We must indeed wonder how many families and friends had this same debate and became divided that Christmas season on the eve of the American Civil War.

Thank you, gentlemen!

12/21/2025

Our “Houseguests” want to extend thier thanks to all who visited Nemacolin Castle tonight! We welcomed over 120 guests to the castle this evening and we had a blast. On behalf of the Brownsville Historical Society, thanks to all who visited us for the holidays, we hope you had as much fun as we did!

12/20/2025

Our younger guests visiting Nemacolin Castle this evening will be given a special “postcard”. Kids, get your postcard signed by all of the “Houseguests” to receive a bag of Christmas treats at the conclusion of the tour!

Merry Christmas and see you tonight!

12/19/2025

An international guest visiting Nemacolin Castle this weekend is John Sottmann, the Baron von Nuendorf of Holstein, Germany (portrayed by Brownsville Historical Society volunteer Sam Lucas).
The year is 1875 and the 23 year old Sottmann has made a stop in Brownsville as he tours the United States. So far he has visited Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Pittsburgh and is heading west to California before he returning to Europe.

What does an international traveler think of the Brownsville of the 1870s?

What interesting sites and places has the Baron encountered thus far along his journey?

Be sure to ask as you meet him in person at “Holiday Houseguest” night this weekend at Nemacolin Castle!

Tickets are available for purchase at the castle or in advance on eventbrite.com.

12/19/2025

Myrtilla Bowman (portrayed by Brownsville Historical Society volunteer Kimberly Rhodes) will also be a guest at Nemacolin Castle on “Holiday Houseguest” night on Saturday.
Myrtilla is the wife of James Bowman, Jacob Bowman’s eldest son. Myrtilla is the daughter of James Bever, an early settler of Beaver County, PA.
Myrtilla and James reside in Brownsville, and James’ schedule is quite the busy one as he serves as a bank president, merchant, organizer of the Monongahela Navigation Company and more.

Myrtilla will be glad to speak with you and share her experiences of the Brownsville of the 1800s this Saturday at Nemacolin Castle!

12/18/2025

Arriving In town just before Christmas is our next Nemacolin Castle “houseguest”, Alexander Sterling (portrayed by Brownsville Historical Society volunteer Brian Brashear).
Mr. Sterling hails from the southern state of Louisiana and is the brother in law of Nelson Bowman, the castle’s second owner. It is December of 1860 and Mr. Sterling is heading back to his Louisiana plantation “Casting Springs” from a business trip to Baltimore. Along the way, he has stopped in Brownsville to visit his extended relatives before returning home for Christmas.

How was Christmas celebrated in the south during the Victorian era?

How did families stay connected over long distances in the 1800s?

How does Brownsville appear to a visitor from another state in 1860?

These are just a few of the questions you will find answers to as you come face to face with historical figures of the past at “Holiday Houseguest” night at Nemacolin Castle this Saturday!

12/17/2025

Another “Houseguest” at Nemacolin Castle this Saturday will be Hon. Thomas McKennan (portrayed by Brownsville Historical Society volunteer Robb Rhodes). McKennan is the husband of Matilda Bowman who was born and raised in the home that would become Nemacolin Castle.
He served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and also as Secretary of the Interior under President Millard Filmore. He was also offered, but declined the Vice Presidency under Zachary Taylor.

What was the political arena like in the 1800s?

Who are some interesting people he met during his career?

Be sure to ask Mr. McKennan in person this Saturday at “Holiday Houseguest” night at Nemacolin Castle!

Tickets can be purchased at the door or get advance tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1968879799481?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/16/2025

Our next houseguest is home for the holidays at Nemacolin Castle!

Anne Bowman Sweitzer (Portrayed by Brownsville Historical Society volunteer Jamie Lynn Bogol) will be greeting guests in the drawing room at “Holiday Houseguest night” this Saturday.

Anne is one of Jacob and Isabella Bowman’s five daughters. Two of her sons became very famous during the Civil War. She will be glad to tell you about growing up in the Bowman household, her family, and Christmases past at the castle!

See you Saturday!

12/15/2025

More of our Nemacolin Castle “Holiday Houseguests”

Meet Goodloe & Jane Bowman (portrayed by Brownsville Historical Society volunteers Hayden & Haley Rhodes).
Goodloe is the son of Jacob Bowman, and a partner with his father and brothers James & Nelson in the mercantile business, later serving as President of the Monongahela National Bank.

Jane is the daughter of John & Elizabeth Smith of Chester county, PA, a prominent family of eastern Pennsylvania.

What were the ins and outs of the mercantile business in the 19th century?

What was it like living in Brownsville in the 1800s?

You can meet both Goodloe and Jane as well as other historical figures and ask these questions and more on “Holiday Houseguest” night at Nemacolin Castle this Saturday!

12/15/2025

We are less than a week away from “Holiday Houseguest” night at Nemacolin Castle!
All this week leading up the the event, we will introduce you to our “houseguests” and the volunteers portraying them.

Just one of the historical figures you will meet on Saturday at Nemacolin Castle is Molly Kilroy, portrayed by Brownsville Historical Society volunteer Bonnie Deems.
Molly is the Bowman family maid and the year is circa 1870. Molly has been busy cleaning and helping decorate the castle for the Christmas season.

What are some of Molly’s daily tasks?

How does she celebrate the Christmas holiday?

What other historic guests from the castle’s past can you meet this Saturday?

You can find the answer to these questions and more on Saturday December 20 at Nemacolin Castle. Tickets can be purchased at the door or reserve a time on eventbrite.com. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1968879799481?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tours begin at 5:00 p.m.

Look for more of our “houseguests” coming up this week as we get ready for the big night!