Millions of Stories: William J. Brown

Curating a collection that encapsulates an entire state is no small feat—nor is the task ever complete. In the span of 200 years, the Connecticut Museum has acquired over 4 million items, and continues to actively build a collection with the aim to tell whole histories, filling gaps created by certain time periods, cultural groups, and societal perspectives. To do this effectively, we often consider new items by asking, “What story—and whose story—does this object tell? And how does this help represent the scope of the Connecticut experience?”

Men’s shoes, originally worn by William J. Brown, Connecticut Museum Collection 2017.107.0a-b.

These were the questions prompted when a pair of worn leather shoes came to us in 2017, donated alongside several other personal items by Andrea Seldon, the youngest daughter of a man named William J. Brown.  

While his shoes may appear average at first glance, they tell a story that spans generations. William “Bill” Brown stood in these shoes alongside more than 250,000 Americans during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. There, he witnessed Martin Luther King Jr. give his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, which ignited his passion to continue the fight for civil rights in Connecticut.  

In 1964, Brown founded the Urban League of Greater Hartford, serving as the local branch’s first Executive Director until 1983. Brown spearheaded numerous activities to expand opportunities to minority groups and low-income residents. His efforts in these years are characterized in an awards dinner program from our collection:  

“In Hartford, Bill Brown took on the tough urban issues in the turbulent 1960s. He sought an end to the racial isolation in education through the support of Project Concern. He pushed for equal hiring practices and became recognized across a diverse range of organizations and neighborhoods as a leader who could be trusted.” 

Newspaper clipping in William J. Brown’s Scrapbook, Connecticut Museum Collection MS 102042.

In addition to the shoes, the Museum safeguards many of Brown’s documents, including military records documenting his service from 1942 – ’46, and papers relating to his work with the Urban League, such as correspondence, annual reports, meeting minutes, and board manuals. Notably, the Museum houses two of Brown’s personal scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings, letters, and articles chronicling Brown’s many years of community service with the Urban League and beyond. With careful preservation and proper storage, these fragile items will remain accessible for generations to come to better understand the era. 

William Brown passed away at the age of 93 in October 2010, leaving behind a legacy of civil rights activism and community engagement. During an interview with the Museum, Andrea Seldon said of her father:  

“…I’ll never forget how the events of the March ignited his passion to work towards equality, influencing his forthcoming efforts in the Greater Hartford community. These efforts were of the soul, both his, and his shoes.” 

In the spirit of William J. Brown, The Connecticut Museum encourages you to share your own story about an organization or individual who’s left an impact through community activism or engagement in the state. Is it a moment you recall from your childhood? Is it an organization or colleague who deserves recognition? Share it with us on social media, @theCTMuseum, and don’t forget to hashtag #myCTStory.

Recording of the March on Washington, Connecticut Museum Collection 2017.83.2