Since 1922, we’ve had the pleasure of bringing comfort to the communities of Charlottesville and Albemarle community. What began as a small, backyard plumbing business has evolved into a full-service home comfort systems company with a century-long reputation for quality and service.
To celebrate our 100 Years in Charlottesville and Albemarle, we want to give back to the community that makes our work so rewarding. We will be giving away two checks; $20,000, and $10,000 to the top voted for local non-profits. Cast your vote below:
The Music Resource Center is a safe, diverse and creative community experience where teens build interpersonal and industry skills through the universal language of music. Find out more at musicresourcecenter.org
WriterHouse is a non-profit 501©3 corporation dedicated to the support of authors of all levels and genres. Their mission is to promote the creation and appreciation of literature and to…
Light House Studio is a nonprofit youth filmmaking center offering year-round workshops in documentary, narrative, music video, and animation filmmaking techniques. They teach young people to direct, produce, and edit…
Help Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment and expertise to give back this holiday season. Each December, photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists all around…
Building Goodness Foundation (BGF) is a nonprofit construction organization. The organization connects skilled volunteers from the design and construction industries with high-impact nonprofit organizations in need of new or renovated…
Camp Holiday Trails is a caring community committed to empowering, encouraging and educating Campers with chronic illnesses, their families and healthcare professionals. Find out more at campholidaytrails.org
Girls on the Run® is a 501©3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Find out…
ReadyKids prepares kids to be Ready to Learn by providing quality early learning experiences and Ready for Relationships by supporting positive, nurturing and healthy family relationships. Find out more at…
Backpack Buddies helps prepare underprivileged children for each upcoming school year by providing them with all of the necessary school supplies and backpacks at no cost. Over the past eight…
Oakland School is a small co-ed boarding and day school that enables bright children who benefit from a small class size and individualized program to reach their academic and personal…
Computers 4 Kid’s mission is to empower youth (7-12th grade) from low-income families to be prepared with the 21st-century skills required to attend college, pursue meaningful careers, and ultimately, break…
The single most important determinant for becoming a successful reader is the amount of reading material at home. The Reading Tub is an all-volunteer nonprofit for family reading and literacy…
ParadeRest Virginia is a civil-military outreach program that expresses gratitude to those who have bravely served in our armed forces. They offer tickets to entertainment and shows for soldiers and…
Loaves & Fishes provides groceries at no cost to low-income families within and around the Charlottesville community. Find out more at cvilleloavesandfishes.org
The PB&J Fund connects Charlottesville youth with the resources and knowledge necessary to help develop a healthy diet. Find out more at pbandjfund.org
Founded in Charlottesville, VA in January 2012, Red Shoe Cville (RSC) is a group of local philanthropic community members who provide support to the RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE of CHARLOTTESVILLE (RMHC).…
PACEM is a grassroots organization that coordinates space and volunteers to provide shelter for individuals in our community who are homeless. Find out more at pacemshelter.org
The Haven is a multi-resource day shelter for people facing homelessness in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. Find out more at thehaven.org
Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Inc. provides trained volunteers and professional staff to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children and youth, promoting and supporting safe,…
Love INC mobilizes The Church to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ. Find out more at loveinccville.org
The Bridge Line enriches the lives of adults with acquired brain injuries by fostering independence through individualized day and residential services. Find out more at thebridgeline.org
The Arc of Piedmont’s mission is to ensure full community inclusion and participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the provision of services and advocacy. Find out more…
The MaDee Project is a 501©(3) non-profit organization that provides support to pediatric cancer patients and their families in Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County and counties that border Augusta. Find out…
All Blessings Flow is a local faith-based non-profit organization that was founded to improve the quality of life and dignity of individuals living with disabilities. Our primary mission is to…
CIC’s mission is to strengthen our community and contribute to economic development by fueling the success of under-resourced entrepreneurs through education, mentoring, financing, and networking.
The Child Health Partnership partners with families to create a nurturing home environment and promote the health and well-being of children in our community.
We’re honored to partner with <a href=”https://ishangala.org/” target=”blank_”>The Ishan Gala Foundation</a> (IGF), a nonprofit that works to bring comfort to families battling cancer and improve their quality of life throughout…
Caring For Creatures is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit no-kill animal sanctuary established in 1987 dedicated to caring for homeless animals and enhancing the human-animal bond. Caring For Creatures provides animals with…
Service Dogs of Virginia is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that raises, trains, and places dogs to assist people with disabilities. Highly trained dogs perform a multitude of tasks that…
The business is founded by W.E. “Willie” Brown and Guy Johnson. It was originally named Brown & Johnson and was located in a little building on Second Street Southwest.
Brown receives his master plumber’s license from the City of Charlottesville. It is thought to be the oldest such license in the city.
Brown and Johnson decide to part ways, and the company is officially named “W.E. Brown”. The business moves to a larger building on the 500 block of West Main Street.
W. E. Brown completes plumbing work at Charlottesville’s Paramount Theater. The total cost of the project, which includes the installation of hot and cold water lines into the boiler room, was $143 total.
Though plumbing and heating services and appliances sales were doing well, the onslaught of the Depression hits hard. Brown closes the West Main facility and moves operations to his backyard. For the next 7 years, Brown works out of his garage on Douglas Avenue in the Belmont neighborhood.
Brown’s daughter Barbara’s partner, Merritt P. “Duke” Martin joins the family firm. Martin helps the business add on new services, including air and water heating and sheet metal services.
W.E. Brown buys four lots on Monticello Road in Belmont. They open up a building of twenty-four feet by eighty feet that is still part of the company’s offices today.
Brown’s son, Gene, becomes president of the firm. The facility continues to expand and grow at 915 Monticello Road.
Barbara’s and Merritt’s son, John Martin, takes the reins of the family-owned company.
Now, with almost one hundred employees and a fleet of more than fifty service trucks, W.E. Brown is still headquartered in the Belmont neighborhood and still known for 5-star home comfort services.
Our story and our mission would not be the same without our customers. From Charlottesville businesses to local universities to homes across Albemarle County, each customer gives us the opportunity to bring more comfort to our community.
Thank you for your loyalty, support and trust. From day one, our commitment has been to deliver services that exceed your expectations and provide the utmost comfort. It is this promise that gives us our history and guarantees our future. Here’s to another century of comfort!