Friends of the Latimer House

09/23/2026

The restricted fund William Brown left to Sumner County has been transferred in full to the Friends of the Latimer House. It came in two payments: $500,000 at the end of August, and the final $88,975.37 by ACH on September 10. It was in our account on Monday, September 14, 2026.

The transfer was directed by Resolution 2608-07, adopted by the Sumner County Commission on August 17 and approved by the Board of Education on August 18.

The restriction came with it. This money can be spent on the house and the ground around it, and on nothing else. The deed carries a preservation covenant and a reverter: if the house is not looked after, the house and every unspent dollar go back to the county.

Mr. Brown left this money in 2016. It was wrongfully confiscated and combined into the school system's education technology trust, a fund it was never left to. County commissioners caught it in 2023, the Commission demanded it back in October 2024, and it was returned to the county in March 2025. Today it is with the house it was left for.

We will publish an accounting of what the fund is spent on as the work goes on.

Thank you to everyone who wrote, called, and sat in a room waiting to be heard.

08/27/2026

A long-awaited milestone for the Latimer House.

After nine and a half years of persistence, the quitclaim deed has been recorded, placing the historic house, property, and access in the care of the Friends of the Latimer House at the William and Martha Brown Park.

One final signature remains before restoration can begin. We invite you to read and share the detailed update below, and we thank every person who has helped carry this project to this moment.

The Latimer House has endured for more than two centuries. Together, we will ensure its story endures for generations to come.

IT IS RECORDED.

The Quitclaim Deed for the historic Latimer House has been signed, notarized, and filed with the Sumner County Register of Deeds. The house, the parcel, and the easement access now belong to the Friends of the Latimer House at the William and Martha Brown Park, a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The Friends have opened the required restricted accounts to receive Mr. Brown's funds and turned in every document Finance asked for.

The architect's contract has been canceled. They are finishing the dimensional drawings and submitting final billing, and Finance is closing out previously open purchase orders that are now void.

One signature remains. Sumner County Mayor signs to release the remaining balance of Mr. Brown's gift, and the restoration begins.

Nine and a half years to finally get the project started.

Thank you to every person who refused to let this go.

08/03/2026

I would encourage all interested in preserving this home to attend the Town Hall meeting scheduled this evening at the Belvedere Drive Administration Building. Room 112. 4:30 P.M.

This historic structure needs and deserves the support of our community. We have lost too many historic properties in the past few years due to inaction. A path was provided for this home and agreed on by the County. It is in a prime location to pass on the story of our country and state to the young people who pass it every day.

Mr. William Brown made specific arrangements for the house in his agreement with Sumner County. That is coming up on ten years ago. We need to respect the generosity of Mr. Brown, and honor his last wishes. The property can be a treasure that gives so much back.

07/31/2026

Friends, this is the moment to speak up for the Latimer House.

The committee meeting where its future was supposed to be discussed has been canceled, but the public conversation will go forward. We’re sharing the post below because Sumner County residents deserve transparency, accountability, and a public discussion of William Brown’s clear wish that this historic home be permanently maintained as the centerpiece of the park.

Please read the documented timeline, email your commissioners, and join us Monday, August 3, at 5:30 p.m. for the Latimer House Restoration Town Hall. Come with your questions. Sign up to speak. Help us ensure that this treasured piece of Sumner County history is not forgotten or delayed again.

The Latimer House has waited long enough.

07/11/2026

Jonathan and two sons are honored on the new Revolutionary monument which was just dedicated. Thanks to all those who fought and sacrificed for our Republic.

06/29/2026

From what I am being advised, the house has been removed from the budget for next year. Not sure what is up with this, as we have been working to get preservation underway. It is coming up on 9 years since Mr. Brown passed. He created a generous pathway to ensure this historic home would be preserved for future generations.

The commission budget meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. tonight. It will be held in the Belvedere Drive main chamber. Please plan to attend and make your voice heard. We don’t need to sleep on this.

06/23/2026

Built in the 1790s by Charles Latimer, son of Revolutionary War Colonel Jonathan Latimer, this home is one of the oldest standing structures in Sumner County and a tangible link to our nation’s founding. See the plan below, completed in June 2025, which lays the foundation for carrying out Mr. Brown’s wishes, as outlined in his Will/Codicil.

05/31/2026

Here is a photo of the historic home when Mr. and Mrs. Brown resided on the property. The Polaroid inset was taken before the house had a brick overlay applied. Seeing the home in it’s current, uncared for, condition is jarring. Mr. Brown provided for the preservation of this historic structure, as well as gifting the largest bequest ever to the Sumner County School System. Should not his final wishes count for something. Should not his wonderful gift be honored? Nine years and counting. Roadblocks at ever turn.

The home will be on the agenda at the monthly GenOps meeting tomorrow night. Belvedere County Administration Building. Room 112 at 6 P.M. This structure has strong ties to both Republic and State history. Located on the Liberty Creek campus, it could be a treasure for historians and students.

The ADHOc Committee has been dissolved, so the future path will lie with the sitting GenOps members. The architects will update their plans and recommendations for the property in the upcoming meeting. I would encourage all those interested in U.S. history, State History, and the preservation of County landmarks to attend and make your feelings known. A path was provided for this house. One it is lost, there will be no scene chances. Much better to have the living structure than a sign stating what once stood on this spot.

05/08/2026

Just a quick update on where things stand with the house. The GenOps Committee met this past Monday. It was proposed that the current ADHOc Committee be dissolved. This motion passed by a vote of 4 to 3. The ADHOc had done some positive work in planning for the preservation of this historic structure. Commissioners Genung, Klein, and Jones mentioned this, and proposed keeping it in place. Such was not to be. The GenOps Committee will now handle things going forward. I trust that preservation of the home will be the guiding principle behind any moves they make.

The next GenOps meeting will be held on June 1, at the Belvedere Administration building. The architectural firm will be there to present their further refined plans for the project. This home can be a historical centerpiece in our community, something that future generations can experience and learn from. I would encourage anyone interested in seeing it preserved attend these upcoming meetings, and voice their opinions.

03/20/2026

The combined GenOps/ADHOc meeting was held tonight. The chosen architects made an initial presentation on the preservation of the home. They feel that it is remarkable example of frontier architecture, and well worthy of being preserved for future generations. Many points were discussed. There will be another combined meeting in April. At that point, the architects will give more detail on their vision for the home. I would encourage all interested to attend. Small steps, but we are making progress.

Plans are to remove the brick facade and restore the home to the original log appearance. Should anyone have photos of the home, pre brick, they would be invaluable in this preservation effort. Please reach out to us if you hold any photos of that period.

As always, thanks to Mr. Brown for creating the path for preservation of the home. It can be a historical treasure for our country.