Happy (early) Independence Day!

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Declaration of Independence.

As a Kentucky history buff, though, my first thought is: what was going on then in Kentucky?

Europeans were just beginning to settle Kentucky. Forts and settlements had just formed at Harrodstown in 1774 and St. Asaph’s, Boiling Spring, and Boonesboro in 1775. That September, the first wives and children of settlers had migrated here. The Virginia General Assembly was thwarting a land speculator’s effort to found the “Transylvania Colony” here. George Rogers Clark was hiking through Powell’s valley, getting “scald feet” from his water-logged moccasins. And in five months, on December 31, 1776, Virginia would establish Kentucky County—which would not obtain statehood until 1792.

In today’s issue of Frazier Weekly, we cull some fascinating content from this period in American history.

Tish Boyer spotlights in our collection a late 1700s cartridge box—a vital asset for a Kentucky frontiersman. We tease a performance Brian West is staging tomorrow at 11: the freeborn African American privateer James Forten, whom the British held captive in the HMS Jersey. (In case you’re wondering, yes, the museum will be open tomorrow, 10–5!) And, for Frazier+, Mick Sullivan recounts the military record of Lt. Col. Richard Clough Anderson, whose unlikely presence at so many decisive events—from the Boston Tea Party to the crossing of the Delaware—foreshadows Forrest Gump.

After that, Stephen Yates makes Lock & Keys with Stitzel-Weller, Mick’s book I See Lincoln’s Underpants nabs an IPPY Award, Megan Schanie pushes our Louisville-wide scavenger hunt, and U of L historian of science Dr. Lee Alan Dugatkin plugs his book on the temples of wisdom in New York City.

Plus, Haley Hicky issues a call for sponsors for our third annual Summer Beer Fest at Frazier—which is coming up on July 29! Proceeds from beer fest ticket sales support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs, including free or reduced admission for Title 1 students, Bridging the Divide programs, camps, guided tours, guest engagements, and Stories in Mind.

They also support Frazier Weekly!

Each Monday, we publish a new issue of this newsletter—chock-full of Kentucky history content—and send it to our 35,000 subscribers, including you, free of charge. So, if you value what we provide here, please consider buying a ticket to this year’s beer fest. It’s our largest annual fundraiser!

I hope to see you there. I’ll be the guy who scans your ticket (although you may catch me shooting Pop-a-Shot and sipping hefeweizens . . .)

Enjoy the holiday!

This Week in the Museum

From the Collections: Revolutionary War Cartridge Box

Tomorrow, we celebrate Independence Day! Here at the Frazier, we tell the story of Kentucky’s part in the building of the United States in our exhibition The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall.

At the time of the Revolutionary War, Kentucky was part of the western frontier and part of the colony of Virginia. After the war, many soldiers were given land grants for their service. But Kentuckians wanted to break away from Virginia, complaining of high taxes and not receiving the same treatment from the state government. In 1789, the Virginia Compact was passed, making way for Kentucky to formally become the fifteenth state in 1792.

From our collection, and currently on view in The Commonwealth, we have a Revolutionary War cartridge box. In the eighteenth century, infantry in Europe and the colonies were generally provided with paper cartridges for their firearms. These were stored in cartridge boxes like ours. The box is made of water-resistant leather on the exterior and a wood interior with holes to hold the paper cartridges. The wooden divider is made from a single block of wood and drilled out with twenty-five cylindrical holes. The size of the holes in our box suggests that this one was made for a sixty-nine-caliber musket. The top is covered with a deep leather flap to prevent loss and protect from the elements.

Come on down to the Frazier and walk through The Commonwealth to see Kentucky’s part in the Independence of our nation.

Revolutionary War Privateer James Forten Performance to be Offered Tuesday

In honor of the Fourth of July, Frazier teaching artist Brian West will stage a performance as patriot James Forten on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Frazier’s Brown-Forman Theatre.

A free-born African American from Philadelphia, Forten (1766–1842) was captured at the age of fourteen by a British war ship and taken north to New York City during the American Revolutionary War. He was then imprisoned in the infamous prison ship called the HMS Jersey. He went on to become an abolitionist and a businessman. His story is not often told, but it’s an essential part of the complete American narrative.

Access to this performance is included with admission to the Frazier Museum.

Frazier+ Video of the Week: Richard Clough Anderson’s Fourth of July

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

Louisville has plenty of ties to the Revolutionary War, but perhaps none are more comprehensive than one man’s journey. Richard Clough Anderson (1750–1826), who settled in Louisville after the war, had a knack for being everywhere and knowing everyone, as you can learn from this short Frazier+ video.

Museum Shop: BBQ Sauces and Cheeky Towels

We all know the best Bourbon comes from Kentucky. But we also think Bourbon lends itself to the best BBQ sauces—some of which are sold right here in the Frazier’s Museum Shop. Plus, if you like big butts, we have the towel and potholder for you online and in the shop.

Call for Sponsors for 2023 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier

On July 29, the Frazier History Museum will host its third annual Summer Beer Fest at Frazier. We’re closing down Main Street and offering 2,000 beer lovers access to Kentucky’s finest brews, food, live music, and lots of fun. We need your help to make this our biggest and best beer fest yet!

So, why participate?

First, it’s fantastic exposure for your brand! Our attendees have a thirst for knowledge (pun intended). They love a good brew, but they also love learning about your organization and what makes it so special. Your logo with a link to your website will be listed on the Summer Beer Fest at Frazier website. The marketing campaign for this event spans radio, print, digital communication, Louisville Tourism, and craft beer affinity groups. You will be featured on local news and information programs and included in our Frazier Weekly newsletter with a subscriber base of 35,000—all of which will direct more people to you.

And second, it’s a chance to make a difference. All proceeds from this incredible festival will directly support our mission to serve over 30,000 students and continue our efforts to enhance the vibrant downtown Louisville scene. By becoming a sponsor, you’ll contribute to our goal of making Louisville an even better city, fostering economic growth, and creating memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to discuss how you can get involved, please contact me at hhicky@fraziermuseum.org. Let’s raise our glasses and toast to an extraordinary Summer Beer Fest at Frazier on July 29!

Sippin’ with Stephen: Lock & Keys (Manhattan Variation) with Stitzel-Weller

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 month’s episode showcases my friend Greg Hojnacki and the happenings at Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Greg is the bar manager at the Garden & Gun Club located at Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville. We discuss the rich Bourbon history that Stitzel-Weller offers to patrons as well as a wide array of cocktail classes. After watching this episode, you will see why a visit to Stitzel-Weller and a stop at the Garden & Gun Club is a must-visit for any Bourbon enthusiast. Below is the recipe for the cocktail that Greg makes during the episode, the Lock & Key (Manhattan Variation).

Lock & Key (Manhattan Variation)

Ingredients:

2 oz. strawberry-infused Blade & Bow Bourbon

1 oz. house vermouth blend

2 dashes Angostura cocoa bitters

1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters

Instructions (Strawberry-Infused Blade & Bow):

Destem 1/2 lb. fresh strawberries and cut each one into thirds. Add to a Cambro then add 750 mL of Blade & Bow Bourbon. Allow to sit for 24 hours in refrigerator. Fine strain into a new container and store in refrigerator.

Instructions (House Vermouth Blend):

Add equal parts Cocchi di Torino, Cocchi Rosa, and Lustau PX Sherry to a vessel (750 mL of each for large batches). Skin and grate 1/4 lb. fresh ginger into the liquid and allow to infuse for at least 12 hours. Strain out ginger and store in refrigerator.

Instructions (Lock & Key (Manhattan Variation)):

Stir and strain into chilled coupe. Garnish with lemon oil, then insert swath/peel.

Frazier Staffer’s Book I See Lincoln’s Underpants Wins IPPY Gold Medal Award

I’m proud to announce that the book I released earlier this year, I See Lincoln’s Underpants, was recently honored with an IPPY Gold Medal Award! My book tied for first place in the Juvenile Non-Fiction Category of the annual Independent Publishers Book Awards.

2023 IPPY Gold Medal Award Juvenile Non-fiction winner graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

It’s certainly a nice honor, but I’m most excited to simply share the collection of interesting, curious, and often humorous profiles of historic figures and the times their underwear also made history.

If there’s a young or old person in your life who’d enjoy a book like this, you should know we sell copies in our Museum Shop and online.

Mick Sullivan
Curator of Guest Experience

Make the City your Museum with the Great Louisville Hunt

If you’re searching for a fun, unique, outdoor activity for this summer, look no further!

The Great Louisville Hunt graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Downtime during the early days of the pandemic allowed the Frazier’s education team time to get creative and dive into side projects—one of which is a city-wide scavenger hunt we call The Great Louisville Hunt.

Using an audio download and a supplemental booklet, we direct you to seven places around the city you might know and others that may be new discoveries—with a challenge to complete at each stop. Whether you’re looking for family fun, an adventure with friends, or a new kind of date night, the Great Louisville Hunt offers an experience to remember.

The total drive comes out to around eleven miles—starting at a location near the Frazier Museum, making a path through the center of the city, and ending at Iroquois Park. You can even extend your fun by adding a walk through the park, a picnic, or a stop to enjoy nearby Colonial Gardens after you’ve completed your hunt!

Learn more and sign up for the Great Louisville Hunt here.

U of L Historian of Science Lee Dugatkin on The Enlightenment of Gotham

Dr. Lee Alan Dugatkin is a historian of science and an evolutionary biologist in the Department of Biology at the University of Louisville. The author of twelve books and more than 200 articles, he has lectured about his research at more than 175 venues in over a dozen countries. We’ve asked him to share a bit about his most recent history of science book, The Enlightenment of Gotham: How Four Men Transformed New York City at the Start of the 19th Century.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist

Front cover of *The Enlightenment of Gotham: How Four Men Transformed New York City at the Start of the 19th Century* by Dr. Lee Alan Dugatkin, 2021. Credit: Butler Books.

By 1800, New York City was not only the largest metropolis in the United States, but the emerging financial capital of the fledgling country. But unlike major cities across Europe, Gotham had not stepped onto the global stage as a hotbed of culture. And even within the United States, Philadelphia was, without question, the cultural hub of the young country.

New York City had its work cut out for it if it was going to lay claim to sit alongside Penn’s “Great Towne” as the gem of the American enlightenment. But, Gotham rose to that challenge, beginning in 1802, when the New York Academy of Fine Arts—the first of four temples of wisdom that encompassed art, literature, science, philosophy, and history—was born. Created to capture the ethos of the Enlightenment, and make New York a “first city,” the New York Academy of Fine Arts, along with the New York Historical Society, the Literary and Philosophical Society of New York, and the Lyceum of Natural History, laid the groundwork for a cultured, enlightened Gotham.

These four temples of wisdom were the brainchildren of DeWitt Clinton, Samuel Latham Mitchill, David Hosack, and John Pintard, who created and nourished them. Each of these men not only served as founder, president, vice president, secretary, or fundraiser for each group, but made seminal contributions of their own to science, art, history, and philosophy along the way. DeWitt Clinton, the best known of the four, became the most important and powerful politician in New York. His speeches in these temples of reason—discourses that that ran anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred pages—showed him to be a polymath of Jeffersonian proportions.

At the start, these four Enlightenment shrines were housed in separate buildings across Gotham, but in 1817 they moved into one central locale—New York City’s Old Alms House. The country’s first cultural center, known as the New York Institution for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, created a space where New Yorkers could soak in art, philosophy, and literature in one fell swoop, and quickly came to reflect the cultural pulse of the city.

For almost two decades, the New York Institution for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, and the institutions that encompassed it, provided the citizens of New York City with a place that was like no other in the country and helped establish Gotham as not just the financial capital, but as a force in all things enlightened.

Lee Alan Dugatkin, Ph.D.
Author, The Enlightenment of Gotham
Guest Contributor

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