EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally appeared in Heart of Ohio Magazine in 2014. It is being republished through a cooperative agreement with Richland Source. To read more stories on Heart of Ohio Magazine log on at www.heartofohiomagazine.com.
GALION — It sits at 201 S. Union St., just one block south of Public Square in Galion, Ohio. Tucked behind shade-producing trees and an ornate wrought-iron fence, the rich red brick of Brownella Cottage is interrupted only by huge windows that seem to look out over the the grounds.
It is purported to have been the largest house in Galion when it was built.
From 1885 to 1887, Brownella Cottage, actually a 15-room mansion, was under construction. It was a wedding gift to William Montgomery Brown and his bride, Ella Scranton Bradford, from the bride’s cousin and adopted mother, Mary Scranton Bradford, a wealthy Cleveland philanthropist.
In 1920, Bishop Brown, always a controversial figure, published a book entitled Communism and Christianism: Banish Gods from Skies and Capitalists from Earth. As a result, he was tried for heresy by the House of Bishops in 1924, found guilty and deposed. Shortly after his trial, never wavering in his beliefs, Brown was ordained and consecrated as a Bishop in the Old Catholic Church. The first home for the Catholic Church services in Galion was Bishop Brown’s study.
William and Ella Brown lived in Brownella Cottage until she passed away in 1935 and his death, on Halloween two years later.
The cottage sat empty for 50 years after the Bishop’s death. Eventually it was acquired by the Galion Historical Society, who still owns and operates the museum today. The beautifully preserved rooms are full of the Browns’ furniture, art, and the Bishop’s writings, books and personal belongings.
Barry and Cathy Moneysmith are Galion natives and members of the Galion Historical Society.
“If you grew up in Galion you knew about Brownella Cottage. We walked past the “scary house” going to and from school, and we talked ourselves into being scared of the haunted house,” Cathy chuckles.
(In 2013), the Moneysmiths volunteered to take on the job of conducting paranormal investigations at Brownella. From March through November, on selected Friday and Saturday nights, the couple conducts tours and paranormal investigations.
“Some of the people are professional paranormal investigative teams; some are just regular people who are curious and searching for answers. We simply give them the tour and share the experience of Brownella Cottage. We don’t try to convince anyone of anything, we let everyone form their own opinions,” Barry said.
The Moneysmiths use some basic tools of the trade on the ghost hunts. Dowsing rods, digital voice recorders, flashlights and K-2 meters are used for communication.
“We have recorded some amazing EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) that are direct answers to questions. K-2 meters measure EMF, or electro-magnetic fields, and we have communicated with spirits for long periods of time using the flashlight as a means of asking and answering questions. The dowsing rods are another way to make a connection. I’ve heard my name on EVPs, and I personally saw a full body apparition in the hallway just a week ago,” Barry said.
Although the house is very active, the Moneysmiths say no one ever feels frightened or threatened.
“Our communication has been constant and positive with the spirits. We find contact is divided into two parts, upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs we find the spirits who had the right to be upstairs in life — Ella, Mary and the family members. In the servants quarters we find the spirits of the servants are willing to talk to us,” Barry said. “Downstairs we often make contact with family, friends and certain servants as well. EVPs recorded in the dining room often have the sound of dishes and silverware clinking in the background, and we’ve recorded what we believe is the Bishop whistling.
“The activity moves from place to place in the house, but it ends rather early. Generally by midnight or one o’clock, the house is still. I’ve spent the night at the house alone, and by 2 a.m. the house is as quiet as any house I’ve ever been in. We think the Browns were quiet, early-to-bed type people.”
The paranormal groups who have toured the house usually want to return. Although the Browns had no children, two different psychics who have visited with ghost hunters have contacted the spirit of a young boy named Patrick. Perhaps their later visits will reveal who the child was and how he came to be at Brownella Cottage.
EVPs, photographs of shadow people, the touch of a hand in an empty room… these are the things that keep people coming to Brownella Cottage after dark. The Moneysmiths believe there is something left of the previous occupants of the house.
“When things happen that you cannot explain any other way you have to make up your own mind,” Barry Moneysmith said.
Why not plan a tour and find out for yourself?
Visit Brownella Cottage at Halloween, or tour the house when it’s all decked out for Christmas at The Cottage. For complete details or to book a tour, please visit the website: www.galionhistory.com. You can also find them on Facebook.
