Larry's Room
Narrated by Volunteer Museum Tour Guide Dennis English
LAWRENCE PALMER BROWN
Lawrence "Larry" Brown c.1900 - Denver Public Library
Larry followed in his father’s mining footsteps attending the Colorado School of Mines. When it became clear the U.S. would enter the war, a now married Larry enrolled in officer’s training school. As a Captain, he was deployed to France in August 1918 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.
Larry Brown c. 1918 - Courtesy Stephan Hart Library, History Colorado
In late September, Larry was hit with mustard gas and spent two months recovering in the hospital. Larry was awarded a Victory Medal for helping to break the Hindenburg Line and received an honorable discharge in 1919.
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Larry Brown. Courtesy Stephan Hart Library, History Colorado.
After the war Larry divorced his first wife Eileen, with whom he had two children. Soon after he married Hollywood actress, Mildred Gregory. Larry had met Mildred while working in the silent film industry on a movie called Home Sweet Home. Larry and Mildred eventually returned to Leadville, CO where he served as the Director of the Colorado Mining Association.
Larry Brown and others at Little Johnie Mine. Leadville, CO. Scrapbook of Lawrence Brown. Courtesy Stephan Hart Library, History Colorado
Larry, aged 61, died in Leadville in 1949. He gifted many family papers and photos to the state historical society with the caveat they not be opened for 25 years. Historic Denver gained access to those archives in 1974 and they were invaluable for understanding the Brown family and their legacy, as well as for restoring this home.