Good morning Frazier fans,

I’m thrilled to be the newest member of the Frazier family as the museum’s marketing manager. As someone who was born and raised in Louisville, I have Bourbon running through my veins and race horses running laps in my head, so it’s incredible working somewhere with people who love the Bluegrass State as much as I do.

I’m a Bourbon fanatic all the way through, so one of the first things I did at the museum was count how many Bourbons in our Bourbon Hall I have tasted. My count was 165. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but here we are both questioning my purchasing habits and wondering how many you’ve had.

In just a short month, I’ve been working on events with people in the Bourbon industry to whom I’ve looked up for years, such as Peggy Noe Stevens and Andrea Wilson. To say it has been surreal would be a vast understatement.

Next month, the Frazier hosts Michter’s Bourbon Pairing & Holiday Hosting Know-how! with Noe Stevens, Wilson, and Susan Reigler. It should be a fun night sipping on Bourbon from one of the finest distilleries in the world and learning how to host a holiday party incorporating Bourbon tastings. What’s not to love? Plus, Frazier Museum contributor-level members and above get discounted admission! It truly is a magical time of the year.

I hope my enthusiasm for being a part of such a great team at a fantastic museum shines through and everyone can come to the museum and enjoy absorbing all that we at the Frazier have to offer. We take great pride in being the place Where the World Meets Kentucky and where you can have a wonderful time with your friends, family, or fellow Bourbon aficionados.

Speaking of Bourbon, Stephen Yates has another Sippin’ With Stephen episode in this edition of VFM. Plus, curator Amanda Briede shares the playlist from our West of Ninth exhibition, Amanda Egan explains how you can give the gift of a Frazier Membership for the holidays, and a Louisville community treasure talks about stepping down after almost thirty years of helping immigrants and refugees.

Cheers,

This Week in the Museum

Sippin’ With Stephen: Elkhorn Smashes With James Gerard

From left, Barrel House Distilling Company brand ambassador James Gerard and Frazier Museum community and corporate sales manager Stephen Yates, November 10, 2021

This episode of Sippin’ With Stephen showcases Barrel House Distilling Company. My guest today is James Gerard, who is the brand ambassador for the distillery, which is based in Lexington. James and I will discuss the history, products, and production philosophy of Barrel House and why it is a must-visit for any Bourbon enthusiast. The cocktail we spotlight is called the Elkhorn Smash, and it’s the signature cocktail of the distillery’s on-premises bar, The Elkhorn Tavern.

Recipe for the Elkhorn Smash

2 oz. Barrel House Select Bourbon
½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. Bordeaux cherry syrup
½ oz. simple syrup
Float of Pinot Noir

In mixing glass, muddle cherry syrup, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add Barrel House Select Bourbon. Shake and pour over ice in large rocks glass. Float with Pinot Noir. Enjoy!

Curator’s Corner: West of Ninth Exhibition Playlist

Interior of *West of Ninth: Race, Reckoning, and Reconciliation*, September 23, 2021

One thing you might not think about while walking though our exhibitions is the music playing in the gallery. What may seem like sound that just exists to break up the silence of the gallery is actually a selection of music carefully chosen to reinforce the exhibition. For example, What is a Vote Worth? Suffrage Then and Now featured protest songs from the 1960s, an obvious choice when looking at the section about civil rights; but the songs also fit well with images of women protesting for the vote in the early 1900s.

For West of Ninth: Race, Reckoning, and Reconciliation, I created a playlist of Black artists from Louisville ranging from the early 1900s to present day and covering several genres. I was even able to include a song from our dear friend, the late Jerry Everett — a valuable member of the Frazier team who passed away in October 2020. A West Louisville native, Mr. Jerry was the front man of The Heartbreakers, an up-and-coming band in the 1950s and ’60s that once opened for the Rolling Stones.

Below is the complete list of songs in the exhibition for your listening pleasure:

“Blue Devil Blues” by Earl McDonald, 1924 – 31
“How Come You Do Me Like You Do” by Edith Wilson and Lena Wilson, 1924 – 31
“Banjoreno” by Dixieland Jug Blowers, 1926
“I’m Gonna Hoodoo You” by Sara Martin, 1926
“Blue Guitar Stomp” by Clifford Hayes & the Louisville Jug Bands, 1927 – 29
“Louisville Special” by Earl McDonald, 1927
“Honky Tonk Train Blues” by Meade “Lux” Lewis, 1927
“Don’t Put That Thing on Me” by Clifford Gibson, 1929
“Everybody Wants My Tootleum” by Clifford Hayes’ Louisville Stompers, 1929
“How Do You Say Goodbye” by The Heartbreakers, 1950s
“Hot Mallets” by Lionel Hampton, 1954
“Real Fine Daddy” by Helen Humes, 1955
“Sincerely” by The Moonglows, 1956
“Love is Strange” by Mickey & Sylvia, 1957
“Moten Swing” by Jonah Jones, 1958
“Put on my Shoes” by Mary Ann Fisher, 1959
“Walking Papers” by Sarah McLawler and the Richard Otto Trio, 1966
“It Could be a Wonderful World” by Leon Bibb and Ronnie Gilbert, 1967
“Tasha” by Odell Brown, 1974
“I Will” by Ruby Winters, 1978
“I’m So Happy” by Prince Phillip Mitchell, 1979
“Freak-A-Zoid” by Midnight Star, 1983
“We’ve Got All the Time in The World” by Hazel Miller, 1995
“Cheers 2 U” by Playa, 1997
“Good Day” by Nappy Roots, 2010
“You Don’t Want These Cards (Basketball Remix)” by B SIMM, 2012
“I’ll Sing the Blues” by Tanita Gaines, 2012
“Don’t” by Bryson Tiller, 2015
“Sixteen Tons” by Tyrone Cotton, 2018
“Whole Wife” by Chanson Calhoun, 2019
“Saturday” by The Jesse Lees and Otis Junior, 2019
“Old Streets” by 2KBABY, 2020

Holy Cross High School Internship Program

From left, Holy Cross High School interns Colin R. and Jackson S. enjoying a behind-the-scenes tour of the Frazier Museum with collections manager Tish Boyer, 2021

Having an education is very important; however, experience is equally vital. Holy Cross High School tries to bridge the rift between these two qualities. The Holy Cross Corporate Internship Program’s main goal is to give students an opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace. Every junior and senior at Holy Cross is required to spend one full day a week at an organization gaining experience and learning what they want to do for a career. Each internship is tailored to fit the specific skills and interests of each respective student. The placement of each student can range from working at law firms and hospitals to gaining mechanical and engineering type skills at a mechanic’s shop.

When we first walked into the Frazier History Museum, we knew it was the right fit for us. We share a love for history and culture. We have also learned that it is a great opportunity for us to gain insight into our future careers. One of us has a deep desire to pursue a career in education and the other wants be an anthropologist. With all the help and information the Frazier’s staff has provided, we have learned so much about what goes on behind the scenes at a museum. We have often thought that things aren’t so complicated and don’t involve much maintenance or creativity; but having met the people who put all of this together, we’ve seen what it really takes to keep this well-oiled machine running.

We intern once a week with the Frazier Museum education department and already have had the opportunity toassist with camps and school groups, learn about a variety of artifacts, and — best of all — hear Tori Murden, the first American to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, speak to a group near her boat in the Cool Kentucky exhibition. We are currently working on an article sharing what’s cool about our neck of the woods in the south end of Louisville, and looking forward to taking a peek into Collections at the Frazier and sharing with you what we find out!

Winter Break Camps 2021: Decades and Artists Aplenty

Believe it or not, as you read this, November is halfway over! That means the holidays — and winter break — will be here before you know it.

If you’re looking for something fun, active, and (just between us grown-ups!) educational, our Winter Break Camps are designed for kids in grades first through sixth to get out and about in our galleries — learning, socializing, and participating in activities they will be talking about until summer!

We are offering camps from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, both weeks of winter break: first, December 20, 21, 22, and 23; and second, December 27, 28, 29, and 30. The first week will be our favorite theme: Decades. We’ll visit time periods from the seventeenth century to the 1970s. The second week, we’ll learn all about people who made what they did into an art, whether it is Tori Murden McClure exploring the world or the indispensable inventions of America’s Indigenous peoples.

If you are interested in learning more, you can click here for details and registration.

Holiday Family Day 2021

Since re-launching this September with our West of Ninth Community Day, Family Days at the Frazier have been a hit!

We are counting down the days until our next one on Saturday, December 18. It’s going to be a jam-packed day of festive fun featuring special guests like Roots 101 African-American Heritage Museum, the Trip J Band, and volunteers from the Temple Religious School. We’ll have festive storytimes, performances, and kid-friendly tours, as well as crafts and games in the galleries.

To keep the holiday spirit going, we will be taking donations for Clothe the West’s Holiday Shop toy drive. We’ll be accepting new toys, stocking stuffers, electronics, gift cards, etc. for babies through teenagers. (When selecting your donation, remember that representation is important!). As our gift to you, you get one free admission with donation.

Admission is also free with your membership, so if you are considering signing up, don’t hesitate!

Holiday Family Day takes place on December 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities are ongoing and guaranteed to be fun for the whole family!

Heather Gotlib
Manager of Youth and Family Programs

Give the Gift of Membership!

Is holiday shopping hard for you? Are the great gift ideas simply not coming to you? Are you stressed about not having time to shop?

Let us help you — give the gift of membership!

By sharing Kentucky’s culture and heritage with someone special, you encourage them to gain an understanding of Kentucky in the most entertaining way.

We have made membership prices more affordable than ever before, and the benefits and savings are noteworthy!

Membership prices start at $20.

Gift memberships can be delivered directly to the recipient or sent to you to present in person.

Perfect for those friends who are tired of getting materials for hobbies they haven’t been able to focus on, relatives who want a gift the whole family can enjoy, or co-workers who have set a price cap on the annual Secret Santa event.

Gift Memberships can be purchased online, in person, or over the phone. Give us a call at (502) 753-5663.

Help those in your life experience more — order your gift memberships today!

Bridging the Divide

Edgardo Mansilla on Americana World Community Center

Edgardo Mansilla. Credit: Michael Clevenger, *Courier Journal*.

If you haven’t heard the name Edgardo Mansilla, I want to make sure you know it now.

After more than twenty-eight years of service at the Americana World Community Center in Louisville, Mansilla is stepping down as the executive director at the end of the year.

His work is led by three core principles: social justice, human dignity, and providing quality services.

Americana, a nonprofit on Southside Drive, provides services (many of them educational) for refugees and immigrants from more than 100 countries.

Mansilla came to Louisville from Argentina in 1990 to study at the Southern Theological Baptist Seminary.

But he will tell you, ministering to others has always been part of who he is.

And the way in which he lives is simple: If we want a better society, we must confront what is unjust and change it — period.

I have worked with Mansilla from my early days as a reporter at WHAS-TV, coming to Louisville at about the same time as he did.

His mark is profound.

Take the time to listen to his words, and if you have a little more time, perhaps drop him a “thank you” in the mail for a job well done.

Staff Pick

Bourbon Staff Pick: Greg Schoenbaechler on Old Forester 1920

Greg Schoenbaechler holds a bottle of Old Forester 1920, November 10, 2021

The Frazier History Museum is the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, so it seems only fitting we should lift a glass to the holidays and say cheers. From November 8 through December 27, each issue of Virtual Frazier Magazine will feature a different staff member’s Bourbon pick for the holidays. Keep in mind, not everyone is a Bourbon expert; however, we all have our reasons for what we like, and we’ll share those with you. And yes, every featured product is sold in our Museum Store, so thank you for asking — and buying!

Last year, during quarantine, one of my hobbies was to do blind Bourbon flights. It’s a good way to figure out which Bourbons you truly enjoy without bias — and for me, the one Bourbon that won more times than not was Old Forester 1920.

It’s sweet, robust, and full of flavor. Its proof is 115, which is high enough that you get bold flavors from your palate all the way through to the finish. The price point of about $62 is reasonable, so it’s a bottle I always keep on my shelf. It’s great for a neat pour, but it will also stand up in any cocktail.

Cheers!

Greg Schoenbaechler
Marketing Manager

Holiday Staff Pick: Donna Atkins on Ouita Michel’s Cookbook

Donna Atkins holds a copy of *Just a Few Miles South*, November 4, 2021

We take great pride in the Frazier’s Museum Store, which has unique offerings that celebrate our state, our heritage, Frazier exhibitions, and so much more. It may be the perfect place to do your holiday shopping, and we are here to help you. From November 8 through December 20, each issue of Virtual Frazier Magazine will feature a different staff member highlighting their favorite items sold in the store.

The Frazier gift shop is filled with many unique and creative items all year long. During the holiday season, the store offers many appealing gift options for the people on your list.

I enjoy cooking, so locating good cookbooks is always a treat for me. Among the interesting cookbook selections in our gift shop is Just a Few Miles South by Kentucky’s own Ouita Michel, one of my favorite local chefs. Ouita has been pleasing diners in the Bluegrass for over twenty years at her noteworthy farm-to-table restaurants in Kentucky, including Holly Hill Inn. The book is filled with traditional southern favorites as well as delicious international and American dishes. For me, thinking of the holidays brings the excitement of entertaining family and friends. No matter what time of day you plan to entertain, this cookbook contains many scrumptious recipes for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. From southern biscuits to salads, soups, sandwiches, Bourbon-brined roasted turkey breasts, cheesecake brownies, and — oh, did I mention — peanut butter mousse pie, there is something that is certain to be a crowd pleaser.

This cookbook is a good addition to your kitchen collection or a thoughtful gift that will help bring home the aroma, the tastes, and the love of freshly made food.

Donna Atkins
Advancement Liaison

West of Ninth Eats: Shippingport Brewing Co. & The Coffee Boxx

Logo of West of Ninth Eats

As part of our “West of Ninth” exhibition, we wanted to go west and explore, taking time to visit local restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries. Each month, we will showcase a place our staff members have visited. We hope you will visit, too!

This week, a few members of the Education team and I visited two new local businesses that recently opened their doors to the public. Our first stop was Shippingport Brewing Company, a woman-owned brewery and restaurant located in the Portland neighborhood of West Louisville. (You may have seen owner and brewmaster Amelia Pillow featured in our Bridging the Divide series. If not, you can watch the episode here.) It was conveniently about a three-minute drive from us over at the Frazier, so we didn’t have to travel far for this mid-day field trip! We visited during lunchtime, so my colleagues and I were eager to test their soup and sandwich options.

Sign outside of Shippingport Brewing Company, November 10, 2021

Mural painted on the side of Shippingport Brewing Company, November 10, 2021

Shippingport’s food menu was small, but mighty. (This is great for an indecisive person, such as myself.) Additionally, the menu had several options for vegetarians, and it conveniently indicated which menu items were plant-based. I ordered the grilled cheese (with added pesto), tomato soup, and a Fitz’s root beer. I don’t drink alcohol, so I was pleased to see their soda options as well.

The food came out very quickly, and it was DELICIOUS. The tomato soup tasted excellent, and the grilled cheese was great as well, especially with the added pesto. I was so eager to dig in that I didn’t get a photo of my food, so I included a picture of manager of school and teacher programs Megan Schanie’s meal instead.

Shippingport’s chicken pesto sandwich and tomato soup, November 10, 2021

Our next stop was The Coffee Boxx, a brand new coffee shop that just opened last month! It is also located in the Portland neighborhood, so it was another quick drive. The counter displayed several yummy looking pastries, and the menu was pinned to the wall, so you could decide your order while you waited. We were greeted by owner Lauren Dearner, who was standing at the counter, ready to take our orders. I ordered my usual chai latte and added a molasses cookie as my dessert.

Shelby orders a chai latte at The Coffee Boxx from owner Lauren Dearner, November 10, 2021

While we waited for our drinks, we walked around the back room of the coffee shop, which also doubles as an art gallery. We admired the celestial-looking paintings on the wall and hovered over the various books on their shelves. Manager of youth and family programs Heather Gotlib and I were particularly drawn to this particular piece by artist Amber Thieneman.

Painting titled *Action Potentials* by Amber Thieneman on display at The Coffee Boxx, November 10, 2021

Also, if any of Amber’s paintings at The Coffee Boxx catch your attention, you are able to purchase them on site!

Our drinks were prepared quickly, and we hopped back into my car and returned to work. The molasses cookie was a nice afternoon treat and the chai latte was a nice accompaniment.

Overall, I was very pleased with my experience at these two new local gems. Check out either Shippingport Brewing Company or The Coffee Boxx (or both, like me) if you are ever in need of a little workday pick-me-up! I am certain I will return to both.

For more information about Shippingport Brewing Company, visit their website. Their Instagram is @shippingportbrewing and their Facebook page is Shippingport Brewing Company.

For more information about The Coffee Boxx, visit their website. Their Instagram is @_thecoffeeboxx_ and their Facebook is page is The Coffee Boxx.

History All Around Us

One Hundred and Ninetieth Anniversary of Presentation Academy

Presentation Academy Class of 1921. Credit: Presentation Academy.

Students pose outside Presentation Academy, 2021. Credit: Presentation Academy.

One hundred and ninety years of educating women: what a milestone for Presentation Academy in Louisville. This week, special events will be held to mark the occasion. You can read all about it, right here!

Presentation Academy is excited to celebrate its 190th anniversary on November 21. Louisville’s original Catholic school, Pres will kick off its celebration with a news conference and proclamation by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer on Thursday, November 18 at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Arts & Athletics Center, located at 900 South Fourth Street. At this time, Presentation will launch a $190,000 Capital and Scholarship Campaign and challenge alumnae to complete 190 hours of community service. The public is also invited to Fourth and Breck for a special Open House on Sunday, November 21 from noon to 3 p.m. Alumnae celebrations will also be held throughout the year.

Founded by Mother Catherine Spalding and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Presentation Academy is a college preparatory school that has been educating future women leaders since 1831. Last year, students in the Class of 2021 were accepted to sixty-three colleges and universities, including historically black colleges and universities and other prestigious schools. More than a quarter of Presentation’s graduates stayed close to home and shared their talents with Louisville colleges and universities. The Class of 2021 earned more than $6.88 million in scholarships and performed more than 7,000 hours of community service.

Logo for 190th anniversary of Presentation Academy. Credit: Presentation Academy.

Presentation Academy strives to ensure that any young woman who wants to attend has the opportunity. Currently, sixty-five percent of Presentation students require financial assistance. For the 2021 – 22 school year, Presentation awarded $888,476 in financial aid through tuition assistance, need-based scholarships, and merit-based scholarships. The average amount awarded was $7,326 — more than half of Presentation’s tuition.

Presentation has called Fourth and Breck its home since 1893, so of course, the building is an important part about what makes Pres special. Freshmen enter the historic front doors on their first day of school and will not use those steps again until their last day of senior year. The senior steps are off limits to underclassmen, and the iconic tower is filled with generations of proud Pres Girls. The Capital and Scholarship Campaign will help Pres breathe new life into the building and ensure more young women can become Pres Girls. Anticipated projects include sealing and winterizing windows, doubling the number of solar panels at the Arts and Athletic Center, and protecting the façade through brick tucking. It will also help Pres kick off its larger capital campaign in 2031 for the bicentennial.

For more information, visit presentationacademy.org or call (502) 583-5935.

Playlist of Louisville Music, 1924 – 2020; Edgardo Mansilla on Americana, 190th Anniversary of Presentation Academy, and More

Red River Gorge Hiking Trails, History of the Brown Hotel’s Hot Brown, Bailey Griffin’s Bath Wonderland Coat Drive, and More

2022 Exhibitions Preview, Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Spotlight, Sculptor Ed Hamilton’s Statue of Julius L. Chambers, and More