Oksana Masters Collection, KET Episode on Frazier Museum, “Kentucky Giant” Jim Porter, and More
Here’s wishing you a mentally healthy Monday!
October 10 is a day we celebrate World Mental Health Day every year. The theme for 2023 is: “Mental health is a universal human right.” I couldn’t agree more.
I invite you to join us tomorrow at the Frazier for Stop the Stigma, a community storytelling and musical performance on the topic of mental health. It is a partner program produced by Louisville Public Media and the Frazier History Museum in partnership with Tales from the Jukebox.
WFPK’s Mental Health Days have become an important part of my once-a-month Wednesdays, featuring feel-good music from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. requested by listeners. The very concept makes me feel good, as does nearly every song blasting through my car stereo. Just the thought that the music brings joy, brings joy.
Tomorrow night during the program, hosted by Laura Shine and yours truly, we will hear from three storytellers about the music that makes them tick. We’ll also enjoy live music from Genevva. Most importantly, we’ll offer resources, we’ll listen, and we’ll take on this mental health epidemic together.
In today’s issue of Frazier Weekly, Amanda Briede shares two awesome new displays in our Cool Kentucky exhibition. We’ve got two award finalists on team Frazier and two articles from guest contributors. Plus, partnerships are front and center in this issue, including KET, Cave Hill Heritage Foundation, and Lexington Brewing and Distilling.
I hope you enjoy.
Andy Treinen
President & CEO
Frazier History Museum
This Week in the Museum
Curator’s Corner: New Objects Added to Competitive Kentucky
I have more exciting news for you this morning from the exhibitions and collections department! We recently added some new objects to the Competitive Kentucky gallery in Cool Kentucky. Be on the lookout for a new case about professional wrestler and Louisvillian Jim Mitchell, also known as the “Black Panther.” He was one of the first African American wrestlers of the modern era.
Newly reinstalled Oksana Masters case in the Competitive Kentucky gallery in the Frazier’s Cool Kentucky exhibition, October 4, 2023. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
We also installed new objects on loan from Oksana Masters and moved her collection to a larger case. Oksana is the most decorated American Paralympian of all time, and we are proud to be able to show several items worn or used during the Paralympic Games. She even let us borrow one of her many medals! Perhaps my favorite object that was added is a custom seat Oksana used while competing in rowing.
Oksana was born in the Ukraine with several birth defects due to the Chernobyl disaster. After suffering mental, physical, and sexual abuse in a Ukrainian orphanage, Oksana was adopted by Louisvillian Gay Masters. Once in the United States, Oksana received the life-changing surgeries that she needed and began competing in rowing. Since then, Oksana has become a multi-sport athlete, competing and medaling in both the winter and summer Paralympic Games. Oksana’s strength and resilience make hers one of my favorite stories on display in the museum. It is always a pleasure to visit with Gay for an afternoon to trade out objects and hear stories about Oksana’s newest adventures.
I hope you will take some time to stop by the Frazier soon to see these exciting new additions to Cool Kentucky!
Amanda Briede
Sr. Curator of Exhibitions
KET Show Inside Louisville Explores Past and Present of Frazier Museum
Frazier president Andy Treinen and KET host Kelsey Starks share a laugh during their interview in the Frazier’s Speakeasy, 2023. Credit: KET.
In case you missed it, KET recently produced an in-depth look at the Frazier History Museum!
Hosted by Kelsey Starks, Inside Louisville is a new KET lifestyle conversation show that celebrates the people, places, and traditions of the River City. For the show’s tenth episode, which aired September 24, Starks toured the Frazier and interviewed our president and CEO, Andy Treinen.
In their conversation, Starks and Treinen discuss the past, present, and future of the Frazier History Museum—where the world meets Kentucky.
If you’re curious what we’re up to at the Frazier in 2023, this is a great primer!
Watch the episode on KET’s website.
Simon Meiners
Communications & Research Specialist
Sippin’ with Stephen: Town Branch Over Proof Old Fashioneds with Lexington Brewing & Distilling
As the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the Frazier History Museum shares stories of the people, places, and producers of the Kentucky Bourbon industry. To learn more, visit our Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center or tour our Spirit of Kentucky® exhibition.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist
This episode of Sippin’ with Stephen features my two good friends from Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., Abby McDermott and Dave Bob Gaspar. Abby is the regional sales manager covering Kentucky and Tennessee and Dave Bob is the events and activations manager at the facility. Abby explains the uniqueness of being the only distillery-brewery combination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Dave Bob goes over the tour and tasting options on campus. He also demonstrates how to make an Over Proof Town Branch Old Fashioned utilizing Bourbon Barrel Ale as part of your simple syrup.
Abby and Dave Bob are very timely guests as the Frazier will host a Bourbon program with Lexington Brewing & Distilling on Thursday, October 26. Called Life of the Barrel, the program will include six product tastings, including the barrel pick the Frazier recently selected, along with a fascinating history of the distillery-brewery. Tickets can be purchased online. This is a must-attend event for both beer lovers and Bourbon enthusiasts!
To get the recipe for a Town Branch Over Proof Old Fashioned, keep reading.
Town Branch Over Proof Old Fashioned
Recipe by Town Branch Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky.
Ingredients:
Prepare chilled rock glass.
1.5 oz. Town Branch True Cask Bourbon
0.25 oz. Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale Reduction
3 dashes Angostura bitters
3 dashes orange bitters
Instructions:
Stir to blend of ingredients. Add large ice cube with one more brief stir. Spread twisted orange peel around the rim of the glass to add oils and aroma and place orange peel in the glass as garnish.
Instructions (Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale Reduction):
Gently pour our one Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale in a small pot with handle. Set up on the stove with low heat. Allow it some time to gently simmer with a watchful eye so that it doesn’t foam up over the pot. Every few minutes, gently stir it for a few seconds and allow to continue to slightly simmer but no boil. Adjust heat as needed but never over medium. Continue this process for about 25 minutes or longer if needed. You want about half of the beer to evaporate.
A bottle of our beer is 355 mL or 1.5 cups. You want anywhere between 0.75 cup to just less than 1 cup (180–200 mL). When you think you are close, just pour the beer from the pot into a large measuring cup to see where you are. If too much, just add to the pot and continue to simmer.
When you hit the measuring range and the beer is reduced and still hot, add equal parts white sugar. Stir together until blended and let cool. Add to a closed container and keep cold when not using. This should last you 4 days or so. If you add a dash of triple secs or overproof whiskey, it could help keep the flavor slightly longer.
You can also try it with our Pumpkin Ale, Imperial Milk Stout, or Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale!
Stephen Yates
Community & Corporate Sales Manager
Museum Shop: Bourbon-Smoked Chili Peanuts
Bourbon-smoked chili peanuts sold in the Frazier’s Museum Shop. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
Chili goes great with fall weather! These Bourbon-smoked chili peanuts are the perfect snack to enjoy after checking out all the amazing exhibitions on view at the Frazier.
Frazier’s Katie Lowe and Mick Sullivan Named Finalists for ROSE Awards
Curator of guest experience Mick Sullivan and event coordinator Katie Lowe pose with their ROSE Awards nominations in the Frazier’s Gateway Garden, September 27, 2023. Credit: Louisville Tourism.
Each year, Louisville Tourism hosts an annual gala for its ROSE Awards—an acronym that stands for “Recognition of Service Excellence.” The awards go to the unsung heroes of the Louisville tourism industry, the folks who’ve committed themselves to a career in tourism.
This year, two of the ROSE Awards finalists are familiar faces here at the Frazier: Mick Sullivan and Katie Lowe! Each has been nominated in a different category: Mick for “Attractions” and Katie for “Event Services.” They were selected out of the record-breaking almost 160 nominations Louisville Tourism received this year.
Voting—which is open to the public—begins Wednesday, October 11. So please vote for Mick and Katie to show them your support!
The award ceremony will take place Thursday, November 16, at the Louisville Palace.
Simon Meiners
Communications & Research Specialist
Frazier+ Video of the Week: “Kentucky Giant” Jim Porter
Now the Frazier fits in your pocket! Curated by the museum’s education team, the mobile app Frazier+ provides engaging and educational Kentucky history content—free of charge. Users can explore the museum’s collection of videos, photos, and texts to either heighten their in-person experience or learn from the comfort of their couch or classroom. The free app is available for download for Android and iOS devices through the App Store and Google Play.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist
Our relationship with Cave Hill Cemetery is truly special. Laying in rest are so many people from the area with incredible stories—and many of those stories can be found in our galleries. We debuted a project this week at the cemetery with the first round of Frazier+ videos created to give people a deeper look at some notable figures in their hallowed grounds.
Here’s our own Brian West sharing some great info about one of Kentucky’s largest figures, Jim Porter.
Mick Sullivan
Curator of Guest Experience
Eighth Annual Owsley Brown Frazier Classic Hits the Mark!
Morning fog rolls in ahead of the Frazier Classic at the Sporting Club at the Farm in New Albany, Indiana, September 29, 2023. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
On Friday, September 29, we hosted our annual Owsley Brown Frazier Classic Sporting Clay Tournament, welcoming shooters of all skills levels to participate in a day of competition, great company, and a good cause. Our guests arrived bright and early amid the morning fog for a beautiful day out on the course at the Sporting Club at the Farm in New Albany, Indiana, before enjoying lunch and our silent auction.
The Frazier Classic is a tradition that honors the legacy of our founder, Owsley Brown Frazier, and his love of both the artistry and history of the gun. We had a wonderful time connecting with participants, both new and seasoned. We’re on track to raise more for the museum than we did last year!
Thank you to our participants, sponsors, auction donors, vendors, and all supporters who made this year’s Classic a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!
iAmmo
Lewis & Grant Auctions
Republic Bank & Trust Company
Kentucky Farm Bureau
Limestone Branch Distillery
Florence Farm
Kentucky Bourbon Trail
David Baughman
Vaughn Petitt Legal Group, PLLC
Oxford Rhine Real Estate
Farnsley Advisors
Dinsmore
Ken-Mulch
Party Zone
T-Mobile
Sternberg Truck & Van Rental
Angel’s Envy
Mark Nethery, Bluegrass Game Calls
Brasserie Provence
The Sporting Club at the Farm
Heaven Hill
Hotworx
I Would Rather Be Reading
Kentucky Peerless
Pivot Brewing
Three Dog Bakery
Woodford Reserve
Frazier History Museum
For more information about our annual Frazier Classic, please contact hrankin@fraziermuseum.org.
Hayley Harlow Rankin
Sr. Manager of Fundraising
Worms, Witches, Monsters, and Masks at Frazier’s Camp Uncanny
For the first time, JCPS had a week-long fall break this year. We saw this as an opportunity to bring back our Fall Break camp! Titled Camp Uncanny, the camp was inspired by all things spooky and Halloween-esque. The camp ran for three days and was a huge success, with the Tuesday and Wednesday dates selling out.
Jason Berkowitz talks about the Witch Tree in Old Louisville, October 2023. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
Campers make monsters out of clay, October 2023. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
The campers had tremendous fun learning about Scooby-Doo and making their own monsters for the Mystery Gang to find. They learned all about the history of candy—which they, of course, received as a treat after the lesson. One highlight of the week was when Jason Berkowitz from the Stories in Mind team stopped by to tell the story of the Old Louisville Witch Tree. Jason did an amazing job, considering our campers are far below the average age of his usual audience. The biggest hits of the week were watching Boba the axolotl be fed worms, making masks, and then using giant cardboard boxes building their possibly haunted neighborhood. A great time was had by all campers and staff alike.
I will enjoy the small break I have before we start to dive into planning for Winter Break.
In the meantime, don’t forget to visit the Frazier on October 21 for our Spooky Saturday Family Day! From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., we’ll have events, activities, spooky tours, scavenger hunts, and special guests.
Nicole Clay
Education & Engagement Specialist
Frazier Presents at State Social Studies Conference for Educators
“May the Source be with You” was the catchy title of this year’s Kentucky Council for the Social Studies Conference held last month at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort. Educators from around the state gathered to learn more about the inquiry model of teaching through questions, tasks, and sources.
Megan Schanie stands at a vendor table at the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies Conference at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort, September 29–30, 2023. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
The Frazier education team was pleased to not only run a vendor table but present a session in collaboration with our neighbor, the Belle of Louisville riverboats, titled “Exploring Inquiry with KY Museums and Historic Locations.”
We had a packed house! Participants discovered local stories and the inquiry process through the lens of two authentic Kentucky destinations. We discussed inquiries, including: “How should we remember the Underground Railroad?,” “What makes a Kentucky pioneer?,” “What makes the Belle unique?,” and more.
It was a terrific chance to meet up with potential collaborative partners and support educators from around the Commonwealth.
Megan Schanie
Sr. Manager of Educational Programs
History All Around Us
Louisville to Celebrate Bicentennial of Marquis de Lafayette Farewell Tour
In 1780, Kentucky established its first three counties: Jefferson (named for Thomas Jefferson), Lincoln (named for Benjamin Lincoln), and Fayette (named for Marquis de Lafayette). A French aristocrat, Lafayette volunteered for the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. He helped America secure independence from England. Next year, various communities will celebrate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s “farewell tour” of America of 1824–25. We’ve asked Louisville Lafayette Bicentennial Committee member Bonny Wise to share information about the planned celebration in this city.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist
Portrait of Marquis de Lafayette (represented in 1792), 1834. Portrait by Joseph-Désiré Court. Credit: Palace of Versailles, Public Domain.
In 2024 and 2025, the United States will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the return of the Marquis de Lafayette to our shores. President Monroe invited Lafayette as the last living Major-General of the Revolution because we were coming up on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Planning to stay three months, he was received with such warmth, joy, and excitement that he stayed thirteen months. Everywhere he went, there were cries of “Vive Lafayette,” children presenting him with flowers, old veterans wanting to shake his hand, and banners proclaiming “THE NATION’S GUEST” with images of Lafayette and Washington. Lafayette covered over 6,000 miles by carriage, stagecoach, canal boat, and steamboat, visiting all twenty-four then-existing states. In fact, his steamboat sunk on the way to Louisville at what is now called Lafayette Spring near Cannelton, Indiana.
Did you know that in 1780, Fayette County, Kentucky, became the first place to use his name? There are more than 150 places named for Lafayette. Yet, today his name is not widely known.
At the age of nineteen, he came to America to help liberate us from England. He risked much: he risked his life, he risked his fortune, he defied his King, and he spilled his blood for our cause.
Lafayette was also a committed abolitionist. He supported the rights of women and Native Americans and championed religious freedom. This man deserves to be remembered!
He lived a long and adventurous life and is buried in Paris. Each year, on the Fourth of July, a delegation of Americans place a wreath on his grave.
During the celebration of the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour, the American Friends of Lafayette will hold events in cities and towns in all of the twenty-four states Lafayette visited. We will follow Lafayette’s 1824–25 itinerary. With over 400 “boots on the ground” volunteers, the planned activities will be unique to their individual locations.
The Louisville Lafayette Bicentennial Committee plans to purchase books about Lafayette and donate them to the schools in Jefferson County, bring Lafayette authors, host a dinner and dance on the Belle of Louisville, and celebrate him on our day to celebrate: May 12, 2025.
Please visit lafayette200.org or email me at wises496@gmail.com.
Bonny Wise
Member, Louisville Lafayette Bicentennial Committee
Guest Contributor
