As we continue to learn more about the devastating tornadoes that occurred Friday night through Saturday morning, our hearts are particularly impacted by the loss of life in Mayfield and other parts of Kentucky. The significance of this storm as one of the most tragic and deadly storms in Kentucky history will remain with us forever. To the thousands of families impacted by this tragedy, may peace and comfort find you during this difficult time. — Andy Treinen, President & CEO, Frazier History Museum

Good Monday morning,

During the holidays, we always talk about traditions. Given the circumstances of the past two years, that conversation has evolved a bit to both renew the deep appreciation we have for our traditions and figure out how we can improve the traditions that may have been put on pause last year.

One of those traditions, for the Frazier, has been inviting families into our doors to enjoy a day focused on the many ways we celebrate all things merry and bright. This year, our Holiday Family Day kicks off Winter Break for area students. We’re hosting it on Saturday, December 18, with ongoing activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You hear the phrase “it’s back and better than ever” often, but I really mean it when I say the Holiday Family Day is back, and it is certainly looking to be better than ever!

We’ve invited lots of guests in to help us celebrate, from our friends at Roots 101 African-American Museum to the Religious School at the Temple and our dedicated teen volunteers, all of whom will be hosting tables to help you learn more about familiar traditions, and possibly discover something you haven’t heard before! We’ve also got a special performance by the Trip J Band on the schedule at 1 p.m. — don’t miss these incredibly talented and inspiring young musicians, who describe themselves as a “brother-band or a ‘band of brothers,’ with the oldest member Jeriel, fourteen, on keyboard, Jahmai, thirteen, on bass, and Jet, ten, on percussion.” You can get a sneak peek and rock out to their version of “Carol of the Bells” here.

In the spirit of celebrating community, we are also continuing our work on the mural that hangs in our West of Ninth exhibition, a piece designed by local artist Victor Sweatt and completed by you! We began work on this mural when we had our Community Opening of West of Ninth in September. Victor will be assisting with the continuation of this piece, so don’t miss a chance to get to talk to the artist behind a beautifully evolving work in a dynamic exhibit.

The holidays are also about sharing abundance with others, and to celebrate that, we have partnered with Clothe the West and are accepting donations to their Holiday Shop, which provides gifts for those in need this holiday season. We are taking donations every day, and we will be thanking those of you who bring a donation to our Holiday Family Day by providing one free admission per family for your donation.

I hope we will see you there as we enjoy a favorite tradition at the Frazier, and that you enjoy the rest of this week’s issue of Virtual Frazier Magazine. Hayley Harlow Rankin shares the story of some of our festive artifacts, Mick Sullivan tells a little-known story behind a well-known holiday song with a Kentucky connection, and Brian West honors a local sports hero’s recent commemoration.

Thank you for reading,

This Week in the Museum

Vintage Postcards, 1900 – 09, and Holiday Day Family Activity

It’s that time of year! Hundreds of Christmas cards are flowing through post offices to reach family and friends both near and far. The tradition of sending holiday cards by post has essentially remained intact, despite the rapid transition to the digital that everything else around us seems to have made in recent years. Of course, there are e-cards and festive social media posts — but there’s nothing quite like opening an envelope to reveal a unique design and message from those we may not see often throughout the year. In a way, cards are holiday decorations of their own. At my house, we receive a variety of cards from more traditional notecards with illustrations like a quaint Christmas village on the front to more modern photo layouts featuring family pictures and cheerful messages.

The Frazier’s permanent collection also houses a number of illustrated postcards with various holiday greetings. Here are two that celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

Vintage Christmas postcard featuring design by American illustrator Ellen Clapsaddle, c. 1900. Part of the Frazier History Museum Collection.

Vintage postcard featuring a basket of grapes and the message, “Wishing You a Happy New Year,” 1909. Part of the Frazier History Museum Collection.

This weekend, you will have the opportunity to see these original postcards and other items from our permanent collection on temporary display as part of the Frazier’s Holiday Family Day. With admission to the museum, you can experience an entire day of jolly activities and programs, including coloring your own postcard! Not only will you be able to see the postcards shown above in person, but you will get the opportunity to color your own version! The Frazier collections team will provide blank, black-and-white copies of the original postcard designs for you to color and take home with you.

We’ll reflect on the evolution of Christmas card designs and celebrate the tradition of sending cards to one another, spreading the warmth and joy of the holiday season. We hope to see you there!

Exhibition-inspired Gifts, Part Two: Cricket Press Kentucky Inventions Posters

In the December 6, 13, and 20 issues of Virtual Frazier Magazine, curator Amanda Briede will feature gift ideas inspired by exhibitions at the Frazier.

Lexington-based Cricket Press has several Kentucky-themed prints available for purchase, but my favorites are the three volumes of notable Kentucky inventions. Many of the inventions featured in the posters can be found not only in the “Inventive Kentucky” section of Cool Kentucky, but throughout the entire exhibition. Volume one features items that you can find in Cool Kentucky such as the tommy gun, the bowie knife, and baseball bats, while volume three features bluegrass music, the hot brown, and basketball rivalries. Almost everything featured in volume three can be found in Cool Kentucky: high fives, radio, disco balls, cheeseburgers, Corvettes, traffic signals, and “Happy Birthday to You.” I don’t know how they managed to fit so many COOL things onto these posters, but if you know a fan of Cool Kentucky, I’m sure they would be happy to receive a print!

Check out these and all of Cricket Press’s prints here.

Dispatch From the Inaugural Darrell Griffith Day in Chickasaw

With all the news that has come out of the University of Louisville this year, it would be understandable if one were to mistake the majority of Louisville Cardinals fans as “to be contracted in one brow of woe.”

But, despite the upheaval and attendant drama of the past few months, it’s still worthwhile to remind everyone of the glory and excellence that has come out of the school and the city itself for many years. As of press time, the University of Louisville Women’s Volleyball team has advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight Tournament. And, nearly two weeks ago, one of the city’s most famous figures was honored during a small ceremony in the Chickasaw Neighborhood of West Louisville.

On Thursday, December 2, Louisville Metro Police cordoned off traffic near the junction of Fortieth Street and Hale Avenue so that guests — both big and small — could gather to honor one Louisville’s favorite sons, U of L basketball legend Darrell Griffith.

First, Metro Councilwoman Jessica Green (District 1) read a proclamation drafted and approved by the Metro Council declaring December 2, 2021 Darrell Griffith Day in Louisville. Next, DJ and long-time Louisville radio personality Tony Fields introduced the various speakers at the event, all of whom showered the 1980 National Champion, Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and founding board member of the West End School with praise.

Griffith’s former U of L teammate Roger Burkman joked that at practices, Griffith spent so much time in the air, all Burkman ever saw of him were the soles of his shoes. Former University of Tennessee men’s basketball head coach Wade Houston shared a similar story about Griffith, commenting that while on a scouting trip for Male High School in the 1970s, he was blown away at how high Griffith could leap into the air, even in middle school.

The funniest moment came when one of Griffith’s lifelong basketball rivals came up to speak about Griffith’s prowess on the court. Louisiana State University Basketball All American and Shawnee High School standout Rudy Macklin joked about how he almost was never able to best Griffith in a game, losing to him in middle school, high school, and even college, when he and the LSU Tigers lost to Griffith and the Cardinals in the 1980 Midwest Regional Final, 66 to 86.

Macklin went on to joke that even long after his playing days were over, and he had settled down in Baton Rouge, he could still not escape Griffith’s shadow. Macklin one day met actor and fellow Baton Rouge resident Jim Caviezel, who is best known for his portrayal of Jesus in the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. According to Macklin, when he told Caviezel he was from Louisville, Caviezel’s eyes lit up and he immediately asked if he knew Darrell Griffith. Macklin joked to the audience, “Even Jesus knows who Darrell Griffith is!”

Finally, the man of the hour spoke to the crowd gathered near his childhood home at 4101 Hale Avenue. Griffith acknowledged his family, teammates, and former coaches for making him the man he is today. He even shared a joke about how he and some of his friends played a prank on some unsuspecting U of L students who were attempting to pledge fraternities and sororities by enduring one night at Greenwood Cemetery.

To conclude his speech, Griffith talked about the pride he has in U of L, the city, and his neighborhood in West Louisville. He then motioned to some lucky students from the West End School who were by his side at the ceremony, telling them they will brighten the future of West Louisville.

After the speeches had concluded, Griffith, Councilwoman Green, and the other attendees walked a short distance to witness the unveiling of a street sign named in Griffith’s honor. Then they walked across the street to Griffith’s childhood home, where Councilwoman Green surprised Griffith and the other guests with an historic marker erected by the city to further honor one its favorite sons.

All in all, the day was not a bad one — for Griffith, the city, or fans of the University of Louisville.

If you would like to learn more about the Chickasaw neighborhood, and the other neighborhoods that make up West Louisville, come view the Frazier Museum’s latest exhibition, West of Ninth: Race, Reckoning, and Reconciliation. Also, if you want to see some cool items worn by Darrell Griffith or Louisville’s “Cool Hand Luke,” Denny Crum, visit our permanent exhibition Cool Kentucky.

Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Spotlight: Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience

Happy holidays, Kentucky Bourbon Trail® enthusiasts!

Celebrate the holidays with Heaven Hill! From gift shopping to Bourbon tastings and Kentucky education, we’ve got something for every Bourbon lover this season. Stop by the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in downtown Louisville, the first distillery back on historic Whiskey Row, and get a taste of our nationally acclaimed Evan Williams Egg Nog to put you in the holiday spirit! Or see our functioning artisanal distillery on a traditional tour and tasting, and taste the first bottled Bourbon produced at that artisanal distillery, Square 6 High Rye Bourbon.

Save some time for our Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience located in Bardstown, Kentucky — the Bourbon Capital of the World® — where you’ll find even more award-winning American whiskeys such as Elijah Craig and Larceny, an immersive gallery experience, bottle-your-own offerings, and a gift shop you can’t miss! Finally, top off your holiday season with a handcrafted cocktail at the Five Brothers Bar on the second floor overlooking the vista of rickhouses across the street.

Please go to our websites evanwilliams.com and heavenhilldistillery.com for additional information regarding happenings this holiday season at both locations.

Winter Break Camp: Decades and Artists Aplenty

Winter Break Campers practice their *Where’s Waldo?* walk in the Frazier Museum’s First Floor Great Hall, December 27, 2019

It’s not too late to sign up for Winter Break Camps at the Frazier History Museum this year! Starting next Monday, December 20, we’ll be hosting two festive weeks of activities featuring our unique, story-based approach to learning about history.

We’ll enjoy lots of fascinating fun, discovering all the weird and wonderful parts of the seventeenth century through the 1970s in our Decades camp. The next week, we’ll focus on the people who turned their passions into an art — whether it was with a paintbrush or through their athletic ability. Camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for campers in grades 1 through 6. For more information and to sign up, click here.

We hope to see you at camp soon!

Heather Gotlib
Manager of Youth and Family Programs

Video: “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”

Back by popular demand (my own, mostly), we’re re-sharing our 2020 look at the holiday song that inspired movies, books, and thousands of broken radio knobs. Yes, its, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Written by Randy Brooks and recorded in 1979 by a Lexington, Kentucky veterinarian named Elmo Shropshire and his then-wife Patsy Trigg, the song took a fascinating path towards becoming the cultural phenomenon it is today. We hope you’ll forgive us for putting this earworm in your mind!

Annual Fund: Helping Ignite the Human Spirit

This year, the Frazier has been successful in serving our mission, “To ignite the human spirit with thoughtfully crafted stories to spark curiosity about who we are and our connection to the future.” This success would not have been possible without so many of you.

You’ve made it possible for:

Thousands of schoolchildren to experience the history and culture of Kentucky, whether it be virtually, here at the museum, or in their classroom
Thousands of regional residents to experience a free membership to the museum, many being first time visitors
Our publication Virtual Frazier Magazine to be a valued resource for over 40,000 people each week
Our community to have thoughtful conversations about challenging and divisive subjects through our Bridging the Divide series
Cool Kentucky to be a premier attraction for out-of-town visitors and local residents alike
Our community to celebrate and explore the history of our neighborhoods and diverse community with exhibitions such as West of Ninth
Fun and interesting public programs and family days celebrating Kentucky’s interesting stories and incredible history
The Frazier to be a leader in downtown revitalization with the creation of Summer Beer Fest at Frazier

To help keep this momentum going, we hope you will consider a gift to the Annual Fund. Not only is your gift fully tax-deductible, it will also enable us to continue to provide a lasting impact on regional school children and people within our community.

DONATE NOW

Five Fond Memories of Cryptid Con 2021 in Lexington

On Saturday, November 20, I was able to attend the fourth annual Cryptid Con (yes, you read that right), which this year was hosted in Lexington, Kentucky. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the mysterious world of “cryptids,” here is the term’s definition from Merriam-Webster: “Cryptid: an animal (such as Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster) that has been claimed to exist but never proven to exist.”

That being said, those who study these elusive beings are called cryptozoologists. As a budding cryptozoologist myself, I found it incredibly exciting to meet fellow members of this fun and inquisitive community.

The entire experience was a blast, but there were a few moments that stood out amongst my day full of activities.

Here are my top five moments from Cryptid Con 2021.

Meeting Geraldine Sutton Stith

Over the summer, I taught a lesson about the Hopkinsville Goblins encounter to our camp kids. (We are teaching them young.) If you aren’t familiar, click here for a WHAS11 news segment from 2017 which outlines the encounter. Therefore, it was surreal to meet Geraldine Sutton Stith, a relative of the individuals who experienced this well-known occurrence and the author of multiple books about that fateful night in 1955.

Exploring the Cryptid Merch Booths

There were around seventy vendors set up inside the convention, so it was fun to explore the unique artistic modalities of the various individuals featured. They were selling everything from plush toys to clothing, so there was a little something for everyone at the event.

Watching Cryptid Research Presentations

At the convention, I had the opportunity to attend talks from seasoned cryptozoologists and TV personalities who have been investigating for years. They talked about everything from field research to video evidence to cryptids around the world! I’m excited to see who is on the lineup for next year.

Winning the Mothman Plushie Prize

While I was at Cryptid Con, I entered a drawing from one of my favorite vendors, Cryptid Comforts, to win one of their large plushies. I got a text the following day that I had won! I got my Mothman plushie in the mail a few days ago, and we have been best buddies ever since!

Meeting Sasquatch Santa

This photo really speaks for itself. You are never too old to take a picture with Sasquatch Clause.

Regardless of whether you are a believer or skeptic, events like these highlight the many niche subcultures that reside in Kentucky and beyond. There were people from all over the country (and world!) who came to Kentucky to connect with fellow cryptid enthusiasts. I hope that everyone who visited Lexington last month went home and told everyone how cool our state really is!

Speaking of cool, remember to come into the Frazier and check out our Cool Kentucky exhibit, which showcases many of the reasons why the Bluegrass State is so unique. The Hodag (a cryptid native to Wisconsin) stopped by the museum and had a blast! Check out their Instagram video from outside the Frazier, plus their online shop!

Happy holidays, and remember to be on the lookout for Cryptid Con 2022 details!

Purchase Your Gift Memberships Now!

Remember: if you order a gift membership at the Contributor level ($106) or above, we will include a $10 voucher* to our Museum Store! This offer ends soon! If you would like it delivered before the holidays, all orders must be in by tonight.

What are you waiting for!? Purchase online here.

Staff Pick

Bourbon Staff Pick: Casey Harden on Elijah Craig Small Batch

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!

We all love new experiences, right?! Well, I can tell you being a Frazier employee is full of them. Although the Frazier is the official start of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and carries the rich history of Bourbon throughout its exhibits and programs, I knew very little about drinking Bourbon before I started my tenure here. With my little experience, I honestly thought all Bourbon tasted the same. But it was by way of tastings and discussions with colleagues and Bourbon enthusiasts that I came to appreciate what I was drinking. By learning how to distinguish between sweet and spicy Bourbon, and how to savor its taste, I developed a sense of what I enjoy.

For those of you who, like me, aren’t Bourbon drinkers, or have always wanted to try Bourbon, but didn’t know where to start, I’d recommend trying Elijah Craig Small Batch. This Bourbon isn’t intimidating, and has a general nice flavor. It’s 94 proof, which is great to start: It will allow you to taste the whiskey and not the burn.

I know some of you are reading this saying, “I can’t commit. I can’t buy a bottle that I haven’t tried before.” To you, I say: I was like you. I had no idea what to buy, and I was afraid I’d get stuck with a bottle I would never drink. But I recommend you attend a tasting where you’ll have the opportunity to try a variety of brands to see which one fits you best. Grab a group of friends and sign up for a tasting at the Frazier! We have an amazing, knowledgeable staff that can help you find the right product. They are the reason I began to find confidence in the Bourbon world, although I still have a lot to learn. To check out our tasting programs and other related Bourbon events, visit our website!

Casey Harden
Director of Exhibit Ideation

Holiday Staff Pick: Tish Boyer on Cardinal-shaped Jigsaw Puzzle

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.

Winter is my favorite time of year. While most people don’t like the cold, I enjoy the crispness in the air. I enjoy being in my warm apartment, with my music playing and a fun, challenging puzzle. Therefore, my holiday staff pick is a puzzle from our store. Our store offers a lot of fun puzzles, and I often find them coming home with me to enjoy. The puzzle I’ve picked for this season is the puzzle shaped like our state bird, a cardinal. This puzzle is not shaped like a square, rectangle, or circle, it is shaped like a cardinal. It is full of brilliant red colors and wonderful details. I cannot wait to get this one started. Come on down to our store for puzzles to assemble with your loved ones this Christmas.

Tish Boyer
Collections Manager

History All Around Us

On This Date: Battle of Rowlett’s Station, December 17, 1861

Detail of sketch by H. Mosler titled *The Battle at Green River, Kentucky*. Published in the January 11, 1862 issue of *Harper’s Weekly*.

As of December 6, the Bloedner Monument is no longer on public display. However, the monument will go on display as part of “The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall,” a permanent exhibition on the Frazier’s second floor opening in spring 2022.

On August 18, 2010, an artifact of exceptional national and historical significance, the 32nd Indiana Infantry Monument — better known as the Bloedner Monument — was relocated to the Frazier Museum.

Carved in January 1862, it is believed to be the nation’s oldest surviving Civil War monument.

Private August Bloedner of the 32nd Indiana Infantry carved the 3,500-lb. limestone monument after the Battle of Rowlett’s Station, which took place December 17, 1861 near Munfordville, Kentucky, to mark the interments of fellow soldiers who died there.

The company, known colloquially as the “First German” Indiana regiment, was comprised entirely of German-American immigrants. Many of the soldiers were not fluent in English, so the inscription is written in their primary language, German. The script contains a brief description of the battle and the names, birth dates, and birthplaces of those who fell.

Bloedner Monument on display in the Frazier’s *Border State: Kentucky and the Civil War* exhibition, 2019

Originally installed on the battlefield, the Bloedner Monument was moved in 1867 to Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville, along with the remains of eleven of the thirteen soldiers whose names are inscribed on it. It is one of just a small number of military monuments and memorials that were erected while the Civil War was still raging on.

After a century had elapsed, the monument — which is made of St. Genevieve limestone, a soft and porous kind of rock — had begun to spall and become fragile. In 2008, the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) moved it to an indoor facility at the University of Louisville where it was treated by Conservation Solutions, Inc.

In 2010, the Frazier Museum obtained the monument through a long-term loan from the NCA. The loan, which was for a minimum of ten years, was extended in 2020.

For more information, read “History of the 32nd Indiana Infantry Monument,” a report prepared by Alec Bennett, NCA Historian, and published in July 2011 (last updated December 17, 2019), or Michael Peake’s 1995 bookIndiana’s German Sons: A History of the 1st German, 32nd Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

Bridging the Divide

Kentucky to the World: Tajah McQueen on the Plant Project

Tajah McQueen, September 2020. Styled by Takia Madjani. Credit: Bryan Jones.

Since the opening of our “West of Ninth: Race, Reckoning, and Reconciliation” exhibition in September, the Frazier Museum has sought to share more stories of the people, places, and history of West Louisville. One such story is that of the Plant Project, an initiative whose mission is to deliver plants to residents of West Louisville. Plant Project founder Tajah McQueen detailed the conception of this project in the following article, originally published October 1, 2020. To hear the stories of other Kentuckians, stop by the Kentucky to the World station located in the Frazier’s First Floor Great Hall. — Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist

One of the things that has helped to quell my anxiety during the pandemic has been taking care of our house plants. Making time once a week to water, prune, re-pot, and fertilize when necessary has given me something to look forward to each week. Working with the plants brought life and light in a time of death and darkness. It was then that I wanted to provide every home in the West End with a plant. Everyone deserves to enjoy the simple joy of caring for a house plant.

FULL ARTICLE

Tajah McQueen
Founder, The Plant Project
Guest Contributor

Darrell Griffith Day in Chickasaw, Five Memories of Cryptid Con 2021, 1861 Battle of Rowlett’s Station Near Munfordville, and More

Berea Scholar and Cultural Critic bell hooks, Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas, History of Kentucky Eggnog, and More

Magna Carta’s 1941 Move to Fort Knox, Photos of G.I.s in WWII Italy, Brigid Kaelin and Will Oldham to Perform at Frazier, and More