This collection, assembled and preserved by Kathleen Davis, includes information on three of the descendants of Kentucky state senator, Augustus E. Brown (1863-1927) and his wife Grace Truman Richardson Brown (1867-1955) who made their home in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. Although there were nine Brown children, these papers reflect time periods in the lives of the eldest, McAuliffe, and the two youngest, Grace and Genevieve, all of whom were talented musicians.

McAuliffe Brown (1889-1963) served as a corporal the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. At the close of the war he was fighting on the front lines in France. He and his company marched into Germany in December of 1918. Earlier in his career, McAuliffe had played in the army band.

Grace Brown (1901-1990) was known for her musical and comedic talents. She first appeared with Harry Waiman and the Debutantes in 1923-1924. By 1927, she was performing as a musician and comedic dancer with the Parisian Red Heads, an all-girl vaudeville band. The group, starring Bobbie Grice, performed across the United States on various entertainment circuits. By 1929 Grace had joined her sister Genevieve as a member of another all-girl orchestra, the Ingénues.

Genevieve Brown (1903-1971), a graduate of the University of Kentucky at Lexington, also played several musical instruments, including the sousaphone. From 1926 through 1932, Genevieve was a member of the Ingénues, managed by E. G. “Eddie” Sherman. The Ingénues attained such fame on the Orpheum circuit that they became part of the Ziegfeld Follies for the 1927 season. Following this success, the group went on world tours, playing theaters in Africa, Australia, Europe, the Near East and South America.