Good Monday morning,

The Michter’s Speakeasy at the Frazier is special for me—and not just because it packs a week’s worth of dress-up, dancing, and drinking great Bourbon into just two-and-a-half hours of fun. This Speakeasy means just a bit more to me because it’s foundational to what we’ve built at the Frazier over the last seven years.

In 2015, when the Frazier was named the Official Starting Point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, I was tasked with developing our Bourbon programming in support of the new designation. Held in February 2016, the very first event was a Speakeasy. I knew we were onto something as soon as the doors opened. The line was long and guests just kept coming. They were people of all ages, ethnicities, and walks of life, dressed up and ready for a great time. There were a total of 416 guests at that first event—and boy, did they have a good time!

Many of those first-time guests are now many of you, supportive of all that the Frazier means to our community, and still on board for a great time.

Since that first Bourbon event, the music of Billy Goat Strut Revue, the welcome cocktail, and the dance and dress-up contests have all become staples. Toss in tastings in our Order of the Writ room with Joe Magliocco, Andrea Wilson, and master distiller Dan McKee and this is a must-attend.

Michter’s Speakeasy at the Frazier graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

This year’s Michter’s Speakeasy at the Frazier is scheduled for Thursday, June 22. It’s likely to sell out early. For more information and to secure your tickets, click here.

I can’t wait to see your flapper dresses and double-breasted pinstriped suits.

On this second Monday of April, today’s Frazier Weekly takes on the first Saturday in May. From a mint julep class to a Kentucky Derby hat display, to the perfect earrings for the track, we’re definitely off and running! Oh, and Louisville Water’s Tapper dropped in on our campers. Make sure you check it out below.

This Week in the Museum

Member Exclusive: Historic Derby Hats, Afternoon Tea, and Jo Ross!

Tea Time with Tish graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

As we race towards the 149th Kentucky Derby, join us on April 16 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Frazier Museum for a relaxing afternoon with tea and Derby fashion!

From the Royal Ascots in England to Churchill Downs, collections manager Tish Boyer will tell you about the history of hat-wearing at the races and show you our collection of Frank Olive Derby hats worn by former WHAS11 and WAVE news anchor Melissa Forsythe before they go on public display in our gallery. The talk will continue with our honored guest, longtime Louisville fashion consultant Jo Ross. Jo will share the history of Frank Olive’s entrance into Louisville’s fashion scene, offer her thoughts on Derby fashion, and perhaps share a few tips of her own!

Louisville fashion consultant Jo Ross. Credit: Jo Ross.

You get Tish and the dish from Jo, all while enjoying a cup of tea! After this, you’ll be ready to pick out your Derby outfit and impress your fellow racegoers with history fun facts and insider knowledge. Be sure to stop by the Museum Shop for all your Derby accessory needs!

Derby-themed merchandise available in the Frazier’s Museum Shop. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Attendees will also have the chance to win two tickets to our brand-new Mint Julep Craft Your Own Cocktail Experience! This lucky door prize winner will be able to experience how to make the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby™ and drink it too!

*Purchase and/or consumption of alcohol is restricted to individuals twenty-one years and older. Please enjoy responsibly. We reserve the right to deny or restrict the service of alcohol to anyone.

Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. with tea and light refreshments. Fashionable spring attire to get in the Derby spirit is encouraged, but optional.

This program is available to Individual and Family Frazier Members for $15 and free for Contributor-level Members and above. Not a member? Become one today!

We look forward to seeing you there! RSVP by tomorrow.

Frazier Offers Craft Your Own Mint Julep Classes Now Until Derby

Having caught Derby Fever in the month of April, the Frazier Museum is now offering a Craft Your Own Mint Julep class in partnership with Louisville Tourism. At this experience, patrons get to make the iconic cocktail—which is tied directly to the tradition and history of the Kentucky Derby. They’ll also learn about its origin and how it became such a grand tradition and integral part of the pageantry of the Kentucky Derby season. To toot our own horn, the class has already been highlighted in the weekly Front Runners Bourbon City’s Tip Sheet—a publication that showcases the most exciting events going on in Louisville!

The price of this experience is $26 per person, which not only covers the cost of the class but also covers admission to the Museum. Classes will be offered Thursday–Saturday, all April, as well as May 1–3, 2 p.m. Reservations can be made here.

Museum Shop: Mint Julep Earrings

Spring has sprung, but the Derby has yet to run—so you still have time to sign up for our Craft Your Own Mint Julep class. And don’t forget to visit our shop for all things Derby, including our favorite mint julep earrings!

Frazier to Host NYT Best-Selling Author Jermaine Fowler May 28

Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 28, at 2 p.m. for another program in our Let’s Talk: Bridging the Divide series.

We welcome Louisville-native podcaster—and now author—Jermaine Fowler to talk about his debut book.

*The Humanity Archive* with Author Jermaine Fowler graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

In The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth, Fowler pursues what he has his entire life: human stories.

In this case, overlooked stories and hidden histories.

Fowler is a self-proclaimed intellectual adventurer who sought out those stories in the local free public library.

Perhaps as a student, you heard about Rosa Parks during Black History Month. Fowler wanted to know her full story and read about her entire life, which was dedicated to activism and dissent—not just that singular moment.

He says if you are Black, you’ll hear the stories of your ancestors in his book; and if you aren’t Black but you look long enough, he says, you will find a mirror of your own humanity.

We look forward to Fowler talking about his book, those hidden histories, and taking questions from me and the audience.

His book has already been part of the New York Times Best Sellers list.

The program is free with admission or membership to the museum, but you do need to register.

And keep reading Frazier Weekly—Fowler’s book is the first selection of our Summer Book Club. Amanda Egan shares how you can join!

Announcing Lineup of 2023 Frazier Summer Book Club Selections!

Last summer, our inaugural year for Summer Book Club, brought many members together. We discussed hard topics and themes with the group, and we shared each other’s joys of reading. The discussions were educational and thought-provoking but also incredibly fun to moderate and to be a part of. But don’t just take my word for it! We asked a longtime member to comment about our program’s first year.

“The Frazier “wrote the book” on telling the stories of Kentucky,” Anne J. said. “No wonder their Summer Book Club is such a fascinating and fun literary experience. I loved the stellar titles, special guests, and spirited discussions. I can’t wait for the 2023 edition!”

Summer Book Club graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Since Rachel already had you mark your calendars for May 28, let’s start there! Just like last year, for our meeting in May, we will be reading a NEW RELEASE! Our selection is The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth by Jermaine Fowler, a title Row House Publishing released February 28.

We have our calendars open, so let’s talk about the other three titles!

From left, (May) *The Humanity Archive: Recovering the Soul of Black History from a Whitewashed American Myth*, (June) *Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York*, (July) *Live the Impossible*, and (August) *Horse*. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

June 25. Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York by Frank X Walker. Published February 1, 2004. Genre: Fictional Poetry.
July 23. Live the Impossible by Jenny Smith. Published July 10, 2021. Genre: Memoir.
August 27. Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Published June 14, 2023. Genre: Historical Fiction.

Next step, send your RSVP to aegan@fraziermuseum.org. Final step, pre-order your copy of The Humanity Archive now! (Note: It’s available for pickup only.)

The complete 2023 lineup will soon be available in the Museum Shop, where members enjoy 10% off! Find more information about our Summer Book Club and 2023 titles here.

Want to join our book club but not a member? Become a member today! As little as $20 will allow you access to our Summer Book Club and other member exclusive events throughout the year!* Did I mention that for the $20 Individual membership you would also get year-round access to the museum, a 10% discount in the museum shop**, and discounted parking!? (Note: *not all member exclusive invitations apply to the Individual and Family membership levels; **exclusions apply.)

Come experience more!

Nicole Clay Staff Picks Tour Added to Weekly Schedule

Detail of objects on loan from Corn Island Archaeology in the Frazier’s second-floor exhibition *The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall*, May 2022. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Does 500 million years of Kentucky history in twenty minutes sound like a fun time to you? If so, then my new Staff Picks tour is just for you! On the tour, which covers some of my favorite objects on the Frazier’s second floor, you’ll learn a bit of everything—from how tattooing has existed for centuries to how a local glass artist used new technology to create beautiful artworks. You’ll also learn about the fun connection the Frazier shares with a historic high school and an iconic racing venue.

I will be giving this tour throughout the week, so please stop in and join me! The tour is offered Mondays, 1 p.m., and Sundays, 2 pm., with some exceptions.

Louisville Water Mascot Tapper Visits Frazier Spring Break Camp

A lot of famous Kentucky authors are represented on the Snead shelves in the Literary Kentucky section of our Cool Kentucky exhibition. The latest addition to those shelves is a book by none other than Tapper, Louisville Water Company’s beloved mascot! Last week, Tapper paid a visit to the Frazier to donate a copy of his book and mingle with our spring break campers. He made quite a splash! For more on the book, here’s Louisville Water’s Channa Newman.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist

Louisville Water is excited to announce the release of its first children’s book, Tapper’s Big Adventure: Where’s the Water?

The tale follows Louisville Water’s mascot, Tapper, as he takes a journey through the community discovering all the interesting and important ways people use water every day.

It is a perfect tool to teach children about the essential role safe, clean water plays in their lives, while highlighting an often-overlooked resource that is critical to the health of our community.

The book has already garnered fans. Tapper has been visiting area schools and libraries to help bring the story to life. And in this fun video, local community members, leaders, and celebrities get in on the fun to help tell Tapper’s story!

We’re excited to share this adventure with visitors at Frazier History Museum during spring break camp, and we will continue Tapper’s book tour throughout the community in 2023. Where’s the Water? is available to borrow at all Louisville Free Public Library branches, and you can purchase your own copy at louisvillewater.com.

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