FALL 2022
BGCFyi ROBERT L. BROWN’S HOMETOWN LEGACY Great things are happening in the city of
Foundation to ensure the Browns’ family
Sharpsburg! Thanks to a bequest from lifelong
legacy lives on for generations.
resident Robert L. Brown, this small city in Bath County is being transformed.
“Mr. Brown’s gift has planted the seeds for the perpetual funding of
Robert, whose family has lived in Sharpsburg
groundbreaking projects in Sharpsburg,”
for many generations, left an incredibly
said Lane.
generous gift through his estate to establish the R. L. Brown Foundation. Blue Grass Community Foundation has been entrusted to carry out Robert’s wishes to improve the quality of life for the residents of his
The updates Sharpsburg continues to see are significant. To date, Robert’s bequest has completely refurbished the downtown Sharpsburg playground and has extended the summer hours and
further revitalize the downtown area, improve
programs at the Sharpsburg Branch of the
the local park, provide youth programs, and
Sharpsburg is certainly familiar with the
Bath County Memorial Library. The gift has
enhance the quality of life in Sharpsburg for
Brown Family, as Robert’s grandfather
made it possible for local youth to attend the
everyone.
Charles Brown established the Brown General
Bath County 4-H Summer Camp and has
Store on Main Street in 1874. For almost 150
brought Lexington Children’s
years, the Brown General Store has been, and
Theatre and the International Book
continues to be, the heart of downtown
Project to town for free summer
Sharpsburg.
camp workshops.
Born in Sharpsburg in 1933, Robert attended
The elementary and high school
the local elementary and high school, then
Robert once attended, the same in
earned a degree in business administration
which Geneva taught hundreds of
from the University of Kentucky in 1954. After
Sharpsburg children — including
he spent two years stationed in France as a
Rob Lane — is now the Sharpsburg
U.S. Army medic, he returned to the States to
Community Center. Robert’s gift
embark on a 47-year career with Woolworth’s,
made possible considerable
frequently traveling between Cincinnati,
improvements to the building the
is a testament to his love for his community,”
Louisville and Detroit.
Brown family loved so much. Likewise, a new
said Lisa Adkins, president and CEO of the
chapel at the Crown Hill Cemetery on Main
Community Foundation. “We are so honored
Street has been constructed.
to be entrusted with that legacy, ensuring that
hometown.
After Woolworth’s closed in the late 1990s, Robert returned to Sharpsburg permanently and managed the Brown General Store with his sister, Geneva. He followed family tradition and took pride in his business acumen and financial savvy.
And that’s just the beginning.
eatre summer
n Children's Th
a Lexingto burg youth at
camp.
Sharps
“Robert’s legacy
charitable aspirations for Sharpsburg are realized.”
Blue Grass Community Foundation is partnering with the University of Kentucky to open and staff the Sharpsburg Design Studio,
“He was brilliant at investing,” said Rob Lane,
which will be located on-site in Sharpsburg.
friend and executor of Robert’s estate. Rob
The studio will collaborate with residents to
Lane has worked closely with the Community
generate ideas and identify key priorities to
To learn how you can leave a meaningful legacy for your community, contact Halee Cunningham, General Counsel and Director/Planned Giving, at halee@bgcf.org or 859.225.3343.
FALL 2022
BLUE GRASS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION