McGowan, Brown 'passing the gavel' at Historical Society

Let it be known that Louis McGowan and Dan Brown, two iconic and important members of the Johnston Historical Society, are not leaving the award-winning nonprofit.

However, that’s what some people may have thought when more than 75 well-wishers showed up at the Museum Barn for last Wednesday night’s recognition reception to say thank you to McGowan and Brown.

“This is real special,” Anthony Ursillo, a member of the JHS Board of Directors, offered. “We are all very pleased to have so many people here tonight. We are so grateful to Lou and Dan for their passion and love of history and preservation.”

Many former and current members, who have known McGowan and Brown through the years, were on hand to say “thank you” for a job well done and extraordinary dedication to the Johnston Historical Society.

Thus, McGowan and Brown – as well as other officials – wanted it known: “We are not leaving the JHS or retiring. We are simply passing the gavel to the next generation.”

Elise Carlson was elected as the JHS president, succeeding McGowan, while veteran member Steve Merolla – who heads the JHS Cemetery Committee – will take over Brown’s vice president’s chair.

“I’m honored,” Carlson, who has been with the JHS for the last decade and has lived in Johnston for the past 25 years, offered. “Lou and Dan could never be replaced; we’re just carrying on the tradition of excellence we’ve enjoyed under their leadership.”

Carlson, who joined the JHS after going on self-guided tours of historic homes in Johnston, is married and has two sons – one living in South Dakota and another who is a student at her alma mater, Bryant University, where she received a bachelor’s in criminal justice.

She was previously the society’s recording secretary as well as being a long-serving member of the Cemetery Committee. She’s also a member of the Association of Gravestone Studies and worked for Rhode Island’s 911 agency for 10 years.

McGowan will assume the recording secretary’s post with Christopher Martin and Joe Jamroz being re-elected corresponding secretary and treasurer respectively.

Brown, meanwhile, will become one of four trustees along with Ursillo, Doug Stephens and Marie Thierfelder.

In keeping with tradition, the night’s agenda also included a guest speaker – Robert Geake, archivist of the Warwick Historical Society – who delivered what many people agreed was a very interesting and educational presentation entitled “A Separate War of Independence – Militia’s Struggle to retain independence in the American Revolution.”