Built in 1897 by J.J. Brown, Margaret "Molly" Brown christened the property that cascaded with water "Avoca" after a poem written by her favorite Irish born poet, Thomas Moore, appropriately entitled The Meeting of the Waters. Avoca Lodge was the place where Molly and J.J. escaped the hustle and bustle of Denver society and found peace and solitude among the trees and farmlands along Bear Creek.

The lavish parties that once filled the rooms of Avoca Lodge languished when Molly and J.J. legally separated. The beloved land that J.J. and Molly had labored over with love was sold in parcels, and from 1906 to 1930 Avoca became a dairy and produce farm for various families that attempted to make a success of the stately property. 

In 1928 Robert V. Fehlmann and his beloved wife Rose purchased the legendary summer home of Molly and J.J. Brown, and the Fehlmann family’s legacy of love for Avoca Lodge began. The Fehlmann’s daughter, Ferne (Fehlmann) Kurtz recalls moving to Avoca Lodge when she was fifteen years-old or so, and remembers being disappointed that there was no electricity. But the Fehlmann fortitude was foundational, and working the lands of Avoca became a family affair as Robert, Rose, Rose's mother Mary Malmberg and their four children (Bill, Mary, Ferne and Jane) grew celery, alfalfa hay, onions, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, apples, cantaloupe and a variety of livestock. 

Daughter Ferne, and youngest daughter Jane, developed a special love for the family home and have fond memories of  Molly and J.J. Brown’s former servants dropping in to visit with Rose from time to time. Jane recalls they often asked to see the house.  “I remember hearing them tell mom they were Molly’s upstairs maid or carriage driver, and they always wanted to tour our home.  Mom loved showing them the house.  As a child, I knew it was a special house, not because the Brown’s had lived there, but because it was our farm and the Fehlmann home.”

Ferne likens the Fehlmann family to the Brown family because “the Browns and the Fehlmanns were courageous people. Dad and J.J. were innovative farmers, and the Fehlmann’s picked up where the Brown’s left off to make Avoca Lodge a productive farm. Jane echoes her sister’s sentiments, and she adds, “I think Molly and J.J. would be proud how the Fehlmann family has kept, restored and takes pleasure in owning their once beloved property. They obviously created Avoca Lodge with love, and they loved the surroundings as much as we do.  This is one of the last historical buildings in this area, and the Fehlmann’s have worked hard to preserve it.”

Mary Rose “Momo” (Garland) Shearer represents the fourth generation of the Fehlmann family women, and her passion to preserve the house is as strong and indomitable as was the unsinkable Molly Brown’s, and that of Fehlmann women past and present.  “I never lived in Avoca, but our family home was just a field away, and there was a well-worn footpath from my door to Grandma Rose’s,” Mo remembers.  “There were oceans of wheat that were as tall as I was, and I danced through the field on a daily basis to go see grandma.”

The Molly Brown Summer House is really the tale of two families; the Browns who built Avoca Lodge over a century ago, and five generations of the Fehlmanns who have grown up with the heritage of Molly Brown and now work to keep the heritage alive.

Today, history comes alive during a visit to the Molly Brown Summer House & Museum. The rich history and warm ambience make it the perfect gathering place for all types of events

Call Momo at 303-989-6639 or 1-800-971-6639
to plan your next event or to schedule a tour!

Print a copy of our brochure

Momo, Ferne, Jane

Jane Fehlmann-Garland

Momo Garland-Shearer

Bill Shearer