For the Love of John Prine, Aspirations for 2025, Five Ways to be a Better Kentuckian, and More
As we look ahead to 2025, I look forward to a new lineup of programs that will include community conversations, highlighting people who make Kentucky so cool, and of course bringing to light our history.
So many of our programs this past year touched me deeply, like the sixtieth anniversary of the March on Frankfort. Linking arms with those who marched for civil rights in 1964 was something I will always cherish and use as a beacon to fight injustice. Listening to author Silas House was a gift of inspiration. And having Frank X Walker performing his poetry about the United States Colored Troops in our Commonwealth exhibition left me speechless.
As I look ahead to 2025, we look forward to telling more stories like those of the Packhorse Librarians, Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, an enslaved couple from Louisville who found freedom in Canada; and working with La Casita Center, just to name a few.
Dates we have already released include our free community conversation on January 30, Finding Common Ground on Guns. You can click here to read more about it and sign up.
For the Love of John Prine graphic.
And I also want to roll out our February 13 program, For the Love of John Prine. His ties to Western Kentucky played out in his music, most notably in “Paradise.”
Author and music critic Erin Osmon, who has written a book on Prine, will join us, along with Brigid Kaelin and Steve Cooley, who will perform some of his beloved music. Kim and Tom Bard from the Bard Distillery in Muhlenberg County, who knew Prine, will lead a toast to him.
The love of John Prine’s music is a thing to behold. That’s why we’re tying the celebration into Valentine’s Day. Click here to learn more and buy your tickets for a special evening sponsored by the Austin and Janie Musselman Family Foundation Fund.
Also, in our last edition of Frazier Weekly for 2024, Andy Treinen looks back on our 20th anniversary, aspirations for the new year for the Frazier from our staff, a members-only program in January to trace your roots, and how to be a better Kentuckian!
Cheers to 2025!
Rachel Platt
VP of Mission
Frazier History Museum
This Week in the Museum
Reflections on 2024, the Frazier’s 20th Anniversary Year
Guests line up to check in at the Frazier’s inaugural Night at the Museum gala, April 12, 2024. Credit: Zac Stout.
As 2024 comes to an end, so does the 20th anniversary year of the Frazier History Museum. As a cultural and tourist destination on Louisville’s Main Street, the Frazier is now proud to be Where the World Meets Kentucky. We’ve come a long way—and what an anniversary year it has been!
There are so many things I am proud to be part of here at the Frazier and countless great accomplishments to celebrate. We hosted our first annual Night at the Museum gala, we launched 120: Cool KY Counties, building our relationships statewide; and we reached hundreds of thousands of others through our exhibitions, programs, events, and communications.
Portrait of founder Owsley Brown Frazier by Robert Alexander Anderson, 2000.
But my greatest satisfaction this year was tying everything we do and all that we are back to our founder, Owsley Brown Frazier, and the supporters who allowed him to build this museum. This is his legacy, and one of the three accomplishments listed on his gravestone. That is noteworthy for a man who gave over $400 million to this community and boasts countless accomplishments.
It’s true that the museum looks very different than the one he first built in 2004. Our name, our storytelling, and our focus have all changed. The Frazier Historical Arms Museum with a focus on storytelling through weapons is now the Frazier History Museum with a commitment to celebrating Kentucky. But it’s important to note that in changing, the Frazier has stayed true to Mr. Frazier’s founding mission.
“With a greater knowledge of history, we can fully appreciate the great difficulties and the great opportunities that lie ahead. By reconnecting with our past, we can renew a sense of who we are, what we stand for, and where we are headed.”—Owsley Brown Frazier, Founder
It was Mr. Frazier who first changed the focus and name to the Frazier History Museum—and it’s the folks who work here who have continued to evolve the museum since his passing in 2012. It is my sincere hope that he would be proud of the Frazier today and the positive impact it is having on so many lives. His close friends and some of his family members assure me that he would.
So as 2024 turns over to 2025, I will use Mr. Frazier’s example to tackle my projects with the same passion and commitment he used to open the museum. After all, you don’t have to know exactly what those projects will lead to twenty years down the road, and you don’t have to follow every line of the plan as you learn lessons along the way. You just have to start!
Andy Treinen
President & CEO
Embrace the New Year with Burning Bowl Ritual
Hey y’all, happy holidays!
It is hard to believe that 2025 is only two days away. I have no idea where this year has gone; though, I say that every year. Like many of us, I like to make goals for the upcoming year. And of course, they are usually going to the gym more, reading an extra book, or learning something new. These are all great goals to have, regardless of the time of year. But I have learned over the past several years that starting fresh is what the New Year holiday is all about. Each year, I write down a burden or something negative I feel and “burn” it. Whether it is shredding a piece of paper, throwing it in my fireplace, or taking a pair of scissors to it, it needs to be destroyed. This is a way of ridding oneself of negativity and embracing a fresh beginning.
It is unclear exactly where the burning bowl ritual began, but many cultures have their own variation. However, fire and smoke are usually involved. Fire and smoke are symbolic to ward off negativity and pass along your hopes and aspirations. Releasing negativity is not just healthy for the soul, but it is very important for the mind.
We all bottle things up and try to pretend that we are ok. Mental health is an important aspect of our lives. This New Year holiday, I encourage you to take those feelings, write them down, and “burn” them. That said, you do not have to physically burn the paper. You can shred it, tear it, fold it, or wad it into a ball and throw it away. The goal is to write down your burden and rid yourself of it.
Embrace the New Year. Make your resolutions and do your best to achieve them. But challenge yourself to be better than you were the year before. Let all of us be better.
Cheers!
Kevin Bradley
Stories in Mind Administrator
Aspirations for the Frazier in 2025
I have been lucky in my professional life to work with passionate people. That includes my profession of the past with journalism. And now in my current profession at the Frazier History Museum.
I work alongside dedicated folks in all facets of the museum who believe in our mission of igniting the human spirit with thoughtfully crafted stories that explore who we are as Kentuckians and our connection to the future.
As we enter 2025, I asked my colleagues to share their aspirations for the Frazier for 2025. I want to share some of their responses, so you get a better feel for who we are. Like I said, how lucky am I to work with such passionate colleagues.
“My hope for the coming year is that even more Kentuckians will be able to see themselves, their communities, and their heritage at the Frazier History Museum.”—Jason Berkowitz, Stories in Mind Facilitator
“My hope for the museum is that, by continuing to incorporate the arts in our programs and exhibitions, we can become a more visible and connected member of Louisville’s arts and culture community and be recognized as such by our audience.”—Kent Klarer, Sr. Manager of Youth Programs & Education Advancement
“It is my hope that museums around the world look to the Frazier as the standard in celebrating and sharing stories about its region, its people, and its culture.”—Andy Treinen, President & CEO
“Keep on, keeping on—being the museum that engages, entertains, and educates. E to the 3rd power.”—William Evans, Security
“I’d like to see the Frazier increase admissions and reach more and more people with our mission.”—Heidi Janes, Sr. Manager of Operations
“My hope is that the Frazier becomes THE destination in Louisville.”—Stephen Yates, Community & Corporate Sales Manager
“My aspiration for the Frazier is to find ways to represent even more groups of people so that all of our visitors can see themselves in Kentucky history. I think we already do a pretty good job of this, but I always see more types of people who need representation and know that we can do better.”—Amanda Briede, Sr. Curator of Exhibitions
“It’s my hope that we further cement our role in the community and are reflective of both the city and state in new and interesting ways.”—Mick Sullivan, Curator of Guest Experience
“I’m excited and want to continue our efforts to reach people around the state and give them a voice.”—Casey Harden, Sr. Director of Engagement
“With every exhibit, partnership, activation, and event, the Frazier’s knowledge base of fun, fascinating, and all things Kentucky stories grows bigger and better!”—Abby Flanders, Administrative Chief of Engagement
Here’s ushering in 2025 with high hopes and aspiration for the Frazier History Museum and Kentucky.
Rachel Platt
VP of Mission
Five Ways to be a Better Kentuckian in 2025
From right, Abby Flanders and her partner Harry visit the Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, Indiana, 2020. Pictured in the background is downtown Louisville, Kentucky.
I, perhaps like some of you, am not native to Kentucky. I wouldn’t go so far as to consider myself an invasive species, but I’m still learning about the best ways to get plugged into our community. In 2025, I have just one resolution: I want to be a better Kentuckian!
Here are five ways to consider adapting common New Year’s resolutions into more meaningful ways to learn about and improve our community. Check out the links included to get a head start on each goal.
1. Get Healthier . . . by Promoting Wellness all Around You! Instead of focusing solely on specific personal fitness goals, join local wellness events or adventure into the 300+ miles of hiking trails in Kentucky’s state parks. As you aim for a healthier diet, try to support Kentucky agriculture. Buy fresh, locally grown produce at farmers’ markets, choose Kentucky Proud products, or explore community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs using resources such as the Kentucky Farm Share Coalition.
2. Spend Money Wisely by Supporting Local Businesses. This year, focus on mindful spending that supports our local artists and businesses. Instead of relying on big-box stores, shop locally, dine at Kentucky-owned restaurants, and prioritize products made in the Commonwealth. Not only will this help you stick to financial goals, but it will also keep your dollars circulating in our local economy!
3. Travel More to Discover the Beauty of Kentucky. Resolve to see more of the Bluegrass State in 2025. Explore historic landmarks, like the Mary Todd Lincoln House, or enjoy natural wonders like Mammoth Cave or Red River Gorge. We feature ten unique spots in Frazier Weekly each month, so check the December 23 issue to learn about our favorite, and often lesser-known, destinations.
4. Give Back by Volunteering in our Community. If giving back is one of your goals, consider joining local volunteer efforts. Help clean up our waterways, tutor students in your town, or lend a hand at a food bank. Even small acts of service create ripples of positivity. You can even volunteer at the Frazier!
5. Learn Something New by Absorbing Kentucky’s Culture and History. Turn your desire to learn something new into an opportunity to dive into Kentucky’s rich heritage. Learn about Appalachian storytelling, try your hand at traditional crafts, or read books and poems by Kentucky authors. Attend local events or museums like the Filson Historical Society, the Kentucky Historical Society, or the Frazier History Museum to better understand our state’s culture and diverse communities.
Will you join me? Together, we can create a stronger, healthier, and better Kentucky—one resolution at a time!
Abby Flanders
Administrative Chief of Engagement
Ring in the New Year with Shine and Sparkle!
Exterior of disco ball purse sold in the Frazier’s Museum Shop, December 15, 2024.
Interior of disco ball purse sold in the Frazier’s Museum Shop, December 15, 2024.
Cue up your favorite disco music for the New Year (Donna Summer for me!) and take along this cute little “disco ball” purse to ring in 2025 in style.
It’s a nod to Omega Mirror Products in Louisville, a company that manufactures disco balls—something so cool about Kentucky that we feature it in our Cool Kentucky exhibition at the Frazier. The purses are sold in our Museum Shop.
Pack lightly—you can’t store much inside! But it’s more about the look.
As Donna Summer would say, it’s Hot Stuff!
Rachel Platt
VP of Mission
Curator’s Corner: Flashback: Louisville Media Through the Years Closes January 5
Installation of Flashback: Louisville Media Through the Years on the second floor of the Frazier, 2024.
The last day to see our temporary exhibition Flashback: Louisville Media Through the Years is Sunday, January 5. This exhibition was really an interesting one for us to curate, design, and install. I became fascinated while looking at events that happened in Louisville and made national news. It was so interesting to see how local media covered these events and the lasting impact they had. I had the opportunity to learn more about events such as the 1974 tornadoes and the shooting at Standard Gravure.
Flashback also gave us the opportunity to experiment with audio and video in a way we’ve never done before. The exhibition features audio and video clips from many of these headline-making events. We experimented with having period radios and TVs play this audio and video. To me, one of the most successful parts of this exhibition is when you walk into it on a quiet day in the museum. You immediately hear news reports coming from all over the exhibition. It really illustrates how it can feel to be bombarded with the daily news cycle.
But perhaps more than anything else, working on Flashback gave us the opportunity to step into the world of our President and CEO, Andy Treinen, and our Vice President of Mission, Rachel Platt. Both came to the Frazier after successful careers in television news. To prepare for the exhibition, both shared stories from their days in the newsroom and took us on field trips to various news stations. Their connections and insight were invaluable while working on this exhibition. We also had a great time watching videos of old newscasts from throughout their careers!
I hope that you will take some time to stop by and see Flashback if you haven’t already. This week is your last chance!
Amanda Briede
Sr. Curator of Exhibitions
Limited Spots Remain for January 19 Members-Only Genealogy Program!
Unpuzzling the Past graphic.
There is still space available in our January 19 members-only program on genealogy. At this program, our friends at Louisville Genealogical Society will walk us through the basics of uncovering your family history and common difficulties that can arise during your search. If you are a Frazier member who is passionate about family and the past and are curious to learn more, make sure to reserve your spot at this program.
Members and anyone interested in becoming a member and attending this program can email me at landerson@fraziermuseum.org.
Leslie Anderson
Sr. Manager of Grants & Community Development
20th Anniversary Photo: Opening Day, 2004
Museum founder Owsley Brown Frazier shakes hands with Mayor of Louisville Jerry Abramson after ceremonially cutting the ribbon to open the Frazier History Museum, May 22, 2004. Pictured at left is Royal Armouries Chair Ann Green.
On May 22, 2004, the Owsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum opened its doors! In the twenty years since, the museum has rebranded as a Kentucky history museum—but it’s continued to serve thousands of museum visitors, families, school groups, lifelong learners, Bourbon tourists, and area residents. We look forward to serving the Kentuckiana community for the next twenty years and beyond!
Simon Meiners
Communications & Research Specialist
Kentucky Coal Miners Featured in Power & Light Exhibit in Washington, DC
One of the Russel Lee photos featured in Power & Light. Credit: National Archives.
On a recent trip to Washington, DC, I paid a visit to the National Archives. The Archives have been a repository for America’s story since it was established in 1934. One of my favorite parts of the archives are the thousands of images that make up the photographic collection.
During my visit, there was an exhibit titled Power & Light: Russel Lee’s Coal Survey. The exhibit features images Lee captured as part of a survey conducted by Navy personnel of coal mining communities following the end of a strike in 1946. As part of the survey, Lee paid a visit to multiple mining communities in Kentucky. During his visits to these communities, he worked to capture the human side of the coal industry. The respect and care he paid to these communities is evident in the images he took of the Sergent family, who called Harlan County home. The striking images taken by Lee helped shape the nation’s perception of coal miners.
If you have the chance to visit DC, I highly recommend a visit to the National Archives to see the exhibit in person before it closes in December 2025. If you can’t make it to DC, the collection is available to view on the Archives website.
Nicole Clay
Education & Engagement Specialist
