Fonds consists of records documenting the work and operations of Thomas G. Brown Church Interiors and its two predecessor companies, PC Browne and Co, and Thomas G. Browne Church Decoration. Together, these companies represent three generations of the operation of a church interior decorating business in Ontario by the Browne family, spanning almost a century. The Browne family decorated, designed, and restored ecclesiastical works of art and furniture primarily in churches of various denominations, but also in other places of worship, such as synagogues, convents, cemetery and mausoleum chapels, hospital and school chapels. Other projects include work in private homes and bench seating for a provincial court. The geographic scope of the Brownes' work covers much of Ontario, with some out-of-province projects as well. The business was owned by three generarions of the Browne family: Peter Charles Browne, from 1905-1938 (under the name PC Browne and Co.); Thomas Grant Browne
Sr., from 1938-1968; (under the name Thomas G. Browne Church Decoration) and Thomas Grant Browne Jr., from 1968-2002 (under the name Thomas G. Browne Church Interiors). The records in this fonds are those of the latter two generations: Thomas G. Browne Sr. and Thomas G. Browne Jr. The records of Peter Charles Browne no longer exist, although the correspondence, project information, and photographs in the fonds do relate and refer to the earlier works of P.C. Browne. There are many examples where works in churches were created and/or restored by all three generations of the Browne family. The records in this fonds document the particular projects and business practices of the church decorating company, through the project, design, and supplier files, as well as original artwork and photographs of church interiors documenting the Browne family's works. The fonds also documents the types of expenses incurred as a result of running a small business of this nature in Ontario over
several decades., through bills, invoices, ledgers and other financial records. The arrangement of the fonds reflects the Brownes' respective record keeping systems. Thomas G. Browne Sr. filed his records chronologically by year, whereas Thomas G. Browne Jr. filed his records by project or subject. Fonds has been arranged into 18 series.
Click here to see a list of record series that make up this fonds or collection
|