The Entrance Hall
Narrated by Volunteer Museum Tour Guide Pam Mahonchak
The Brown Family. Courtesy the Stephan Hart Library, History Colorado
This Entrance Hall to their home was the first and perhaps only room a guest would see, so it was elaborately decorated and provided clues about the family’s social status, education, and personal interests. The walls were painted gold to reflect the pride the Browns had in J.J.’s tremendous gold strike.
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It was in 1894 that James Joseph, known as J.J., and Margaret Tobin Brown made 1340 Pennsylvania their home. Soon after moving from Hannibal, MO to Leadville, CO, Margaret found herself married to this well-educated and charming miner. By 1889 the Browns were parents to two children, Lawrence Palmer, known as Larry, and Catherine Ellen, known as Helen.
Entry Hall c. 1910. Courtesy of Denver Public Library
J.J. had invested wisely and lent his engineering skills to the IBEX Mining Company’s Little Johnny mine. His efforts helped produce the greatest gold ore strike of any mine in North America at the time, bringing in as much as 1,000 tons of high-grade ore per day in those early years. They employed more miners than the next seven Colorado mines combined.
This also meant that the Browns quietly amassed a considerable fortune, allowing them to purchase this fashionable and modern home in an up-and-coming Denver neighborhood. The house had all of the modern conveniences, including electricity, hot and cold running water, central heat, and a telephone – a perfect house for a young family looking to make their mark on Denver.
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The telephone on the south wall of the Entrance Hall is a replica of the Brown family phone and is one of the few objects in the house that's not actually from 1910 or earlier. But it's a favorite of mine because I remember how it came to be here. My mother was one of the activists who saved this home in 1970 and it was Mama's bridge partner, a retired Western Electric employee, who had the idea to research and build this phone for us. So many of my favorite memories of Mama are here in the Brown's home and I'm grateful to be able to share this one with you today.
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After moving in, the Browns became accomplished travelers; Margaret and J.J. even embarked on a world tour of India, China, and Japan. You can see souvenirs from their travels throughout the house, such as the brass oil lamps from India here on the fireplace mantle.
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Later in life Mrs. Brown was quoted as saying,
“Some people smirked when I brought home ancient statuary from Egypt and decorated up a few acres of the Rocky Mountains for my home, but I am sure that those who know the place will agree that culture knows no boundaries and that fine arts are international.”
- Margaret Brown
