Located at 1415 Jefferson Ave, the Brownson house hosted a multitude of different groups and activities over the years. There’s been basketball, cheerleading, wrestling, boxing and even preschool lessons between the four walls for decades, and thousands of children from around the area have passed through the doors. Because of this, it’s been considered a historic landmark to the people of Washington, but it was never registered as one, so they never got the funding or protection of a true monument. Due to this, it was difficult to give the Brownson House the repairs it needed.
When what was once a bustling center for youth athletics became a dilapidated and dangerous shack, the bills grew higher and the facility became unusable. Plus, the roof was beginning to spring leaks and the boiler needed to be repaired. Lighting, heating and keeping up with safety codes in a 115-year-old building can be expensive, and it gets to a point where the costs outweigh the benefits. So, demolishing it and replacing it with something new was necessary.
“I hope that a place for the community replaces it, since that’s what it was before,” social studies teacher Mr. Polansky expressed.
The non-profit that runs the Brownson House announced the demolition in March 2025 and shared that they would be replacing it with a new community and athletic center.
“I think the demolition is needed and that Washington needs to innovate. Whether it becomes a parking lot or a new building, I just hope it gets put to use,” stated Senior Brailyn Mitchell.
Around the beginning of November, the county began the demolition process. This has been going smoothly so far, and the only thing of the building that is currently still standing is the steel structures and the remaining debris.
Both the executive director, Jon Celani, of the Brownson House and Washington County supported the demolition, although Celani shared it was one of the hardest decisions he’s ever had to make. The process was estimated to cost $8.5 to 9 million to demolish the building. The demolition was funded by the county’s blight mitigation account, which is leftover money from the COVID relief that is being used to fund demolitions. Although beneficial for safety and the futures of Washington youth, many people in the community are heartbroken over the loss of a staple building from their younger days.
Mitchell reminisced, “I played basketball and soccer there for years. In the actual house, I received basketball and soccer lessons, which helped me build lifelong memories on the court beside the house. Some of my greatest childhood memories were built there.”
Although there are benefits and drawbacks to the demolition, it has already been completed and will be cleared out within the coming weeks. It has already been decided that the Brownson House will be replaced by a brand new recreation and community center, so the community can thrive again.
