Collection dates to 1910
By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Every single one of the 45,000 Boy Scouts coming for next week's 2010 National Scout Jamboree would love to visit the Masonic Lodge in Bowling Green. There at the Kilwinning Crosse Masonic Lodge on Chase Street, Wayne Brooks has set up a remarkable museum-like exhibit of Boy Scout artifacts dating back to the Scouts' inception in 1910.
Included are an antique print of founder Lord Baden Powell, a 1910 Boy Scout belt and buckle, all the Scout manuals, flags, an extensive collection of early Scout folding knives, all sorts of ancient Scout campaign hats, patches going back years and years, a 1937 Scout scarf from the first Jamboree, an engraved Henry Eagle Scout Commemorative Repeating .22 Rifle, an engraved 100th Boy Scout Anniversary Rifle, photographs of Scouts going back to the 1920s, photographs of Hollywood actors like Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda – in Scout uniforms – who were Eagle Scouts, commemorative Boy Scout stamps from all over the world dating from 1913, a 4-by-8 foot Jamboree diorama with Scout figurines, ancient uniforms, buckles, pins, medals and an Order of the Arrow exhibit.
Collecting for the past 20 years, Brooks, 62, was Assistant Scout Master for Bowling Green Troop 173, and he credits for much of his collection Jesse Russell, a Caroline Scout leader for 50 years, now recently deceased. Brooks' two sons Hunter and Ashby are Life Scouts. Civil War History Commemorative Patches can also be purchased, not only at the Masonic Lodge where General Joe Hooker is for sale, but at the Caroline Visitors Center, Grapes of Taste Wine Shop in Ladysmith, Family Diner on Route 2, Main Street Cafe´, Jack's Cafe´, Pizza Hut on Broaddus Avenue and Country Angel Antiques.
Brooks will also have a Boy Scout exhibit at the Caroline Visitor Center. Caroline folks will also want to be on hand for next Monday's July 26th performance at the Old Historic Courthouse in Bowling Green of the 65-piece Boy Scout Jamboree Honor Band. The time is 6:30 p.m.
Wayne Brooks' Boy Scout Exhibit at Kilwinning Crosse Masonic Lodge on Chase Street in Bowling Green is open from noon to 6 p.m., July 17 to August 4. There is no charge.