I just got back from a long weekend trip from Philadelphia to Kentucky (and a little Indiana.) I visited Mammoth Caves, The Lincoln Birthplace and the Lincoln Childhood Home, all National Park Service sites. I also toured the Maker’s Mark Bourbon distillery, and spent a night at the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. I had a great time at all of these facilities, but a highlight of the trip was the Frazier History Museum in Louisville. This is from their web site: "Showcasing artifacts made between the 16th and 20th centuries, the Frazier Museum Collection displayed on our second floor explores the great themes of American history from early settlement up through 1900 – Colonization, Revolutionary War, Westward Expansion, Civil War, Industrialization, the changing culture of the American Indians and the Cowboys of the Wild West". The place does a great job of “personalizing” history and describing the historical and social context of the artifacts on display. It weaves the display pieces and the printed or video information into presentations that are informative and (I thought) captivating. AND (I thought this is really great) "The Frazier Museum has the distinction of being the only place in the world outside Great Britain to permanently house and display Royal Armouries artifacts". As a staff member told me, the Royal Armouries (The British National Museum of Arms and Armour) was looking for a place to exhibit in the U.S. and the Frazier museum was in the right place at the right time. And guns: lots and lots of guns on display. They have a S&W section, a Colt exhibit, a room dedicated to Marlins, and a series of panels detailing Winchester’s history. They also have a bunch of interpreters who do living history presentations. I met Clara Barton, a Norman Infantryman who had just fought the Battle of Hastings, and a former slave who earned enough side money to buy his own freedom and migrate to Kentucky. I was told they have over 100 such presentations. I would highly recommend it if you’re in the area. I spent over five hours there and enjoyed it as much as I did the National World War II museum in New Orleans.
Frazier History museum in louisville
- Thread starter cptdco
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Pilgrim
US Veteran
Been there. Done that. Great Place !
everReady Rob
Member
Neat story. Been to Mammoth Caves and the Lincoln sites and will put the Frazier Museum on my list of _to do_.
doublesharp
Member
Louisville had done a good job with that stretch of Main St. It goes to hell a few blocks further west. I had a table at a National GunDay show a few years back and the show promoter booked the arms museum for a private show just for his vendors. Good time. I've been a couple times since and always enjoy it.
