Sumner County committee approves soliciting bids to assess 200‑year‑old Brown House; trusteeship of related Vanguard funds still unresolved

The Sumner County General Operations Committee on Thursday authorized staff to solicit three bids to do exploratory interior work on the historic Brown House and to obtain alternate pricing for limited access work that would let a preservation specialist inspect the home.

The action follows months of public comment and a presentation by committee members who inspected the property and by preservation specialist Chris Coker, who recommended removing nonoriginal paneling and floor coverings so the house’s original timber and masonry can be evaluated.

Committee members and residents said the Brown House, which speakers said dates to the late 1700s or early 1800s, is deteriorating and needs a clear scope-of-work and estimate before the county can consider appropriating money to stabilize it. “Before we can even get to any kind of planning or estimation we’ve got to remove some of this to be able to then get in there,” Vice Chairman Klein said while relaying Mr. Coker’s assessment. Committee members asked for written resumes and project examples from Coker before contracting.

Public commenters pressed the committee to move…