Located in the heart of Indiana, about an hour's drive south of Indianapolis, Brown County offers visitors a variety of attractions and things to do. Though the county is small, with a population numbering fewer than 15,000, its scenic nature, its nearly two-century-long history, and its connections to art and artists cater to a wide range of people and interests.
Brown County has been a hub for artists since 1937, when T.C. Steele, an Impressionist painter, moved from Indianapolis and set up a home and studio here. That same house, now named the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, is open to visitors. It is located at the heart of the county, about 10 miles southwest of Nashville, Indiana. The Brown County Art Gallery and Brown County Art Guild, both located in Nashville, also display exhibits.
Brown County is home to the Brown County State Park, the largest state park in Indiana. It covers 16,000 acres of land. The county also offers the Yellowwood State Forest, covering 23,236 acres. Altogether, the county contains 176,830 acres of forested land that caters to a wide variety of outdoors lovers for activities including hiking, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, sledding and crosscountry skiing.
Brown County has a history going back to the 19th century, and remnants of that time still stand. One example is the Brown Country Historical Museum in Nashville, consisting of five buildings. The first is a log jail built in 1837 that has been out of use since 1919. The others are a dog trot barn, a doctor's office, a log cabin and a blacksmith's shop. All of these replicate life in the 19th century. Also notable is Nashville's courthouse, which was built in 1874 and is now listed as in the National Register of Historic Places.
Brown County offers a variety of shopping experiences. These include small locally owned boutiques, coffee houses and wine tasting rooms. There are also shops offering handcrafted furniture, art, pottery, and clothing, as well as weaved, wood, glass and leather products of all kinds. One notable shop is For Bare Feet, a company that makes specialty socks, located in Helmsburg, about five miles north of Nashville. Another is Country Folks, carrying everything from reproduction guns and knives to wedding garters and scrapbook supplies. Kiss the Cook has all the culinary tools any chef could hope for, plus an enticing line of jellies, dips and sweets.
