This past Wednesday, we celebrated Kentucky’s 231st birthday by announcing some exciting additions to the Frazier: we’ve partnered with the Kentucky Science Center to acquire a very large number of items from their collection!

Founded as a “cabinet of curiosities” in the Public Library System of Kentucky in 1871, the Kentucky Science Center, then named the Museum of Natural History and Science, moved in 1977 to its current location on Main Street, a block down from where the Frazier would open in 2004. During this 100-plus-year history, the Science Center has had the privilege of obtaining thousands of objects from Kentucky history—many of which are not on display.

So, as the place where the world meets Kentucky, the Frazier is teaming up with the Science Center to accept some of these objects, preserve them, and display them!

So far, we have collected over seven hundred objects—and that number continues to grow. The Frazier has the unique position of using objects for preservation and presentation. We keep in our permanent collection objects that are used for both preservation and display. We also have a teaching collection whose objects can be used for collection impact, programming, education, and our Stories in Mind program, which goes out to senior homes to discuss history. The teaching collection is touchable, meaning individuals can hold, touch, feel, and smell the objects, bringing them one step closer to history!

Other objects in the collection include a Kentucky frontier rifle, with a replaced barrel, that possibly belonged to Daniel Boone (the Science Center obtained this rifle in 1872—one year after it opened!); a teal wool men’s swimsuit with built-in shorts, 1910; a homemade gentleman’s jacket made of wool sheared from a sheep raised on Smith Farm in Adair County, Kentucky, c. 1820s; a doorman’s jacket from the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, 1930s; a lady’s bonnet, c. 1840s; a wedding dress, 1883; a Suffragette-patterned lady’s dress, 1890s; and much, much more.

All of the objects we acquired and continue to acquire will help the Frazier mean more to more people. I know that Wednesday was Kentucky’s birthday, but I feel like the Frazier is the one who received the gift!

We are incredibly grateful for our partners at the Kentucky Science Center.

Casey Harden
Director of Exhibit Ideation
Frazier History Museum

This Week in the Museum

Curator’s Corner: Jack Harlow Case Installed in Entertaining Kentucky

This past week we celebrated Kentucky’s 231st birthday with the opening of the Entertaining Kentucky gallery within Cool Kentucky, our permanent exhibition devoted to the people, places, industries, and culture of our state. Entertaining Kentucky showcases just that: everything entertaining that has come from the bluegrass. Of course, it wouldn’t be Entertaining Kentucky without Jack Harlow!

From topping the charts in 2020 to his recent acting debut, Jack’s display tells the story of repeated successes in his blossoming career and highlights some of his favorite moments. It’s the story he wants to tell. That’s right—Jack personally helped curate his display, choosing artifacts he felt best represent his incredible journey so far. And it’s only the beginning!

You’ll see artifacts that take you back to the “Whats Poppin” music video and Jack’s first appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, but you’ll also get an up-close view of more recent memorabilia, like the New Balance sneakers he wore in White Men Can’t Jump, now streaming on Hulu.

Jack Harlow is “Entertaining Kentucky”—right now. His display stands among numerous Kentucky music and acting legends, but certainly stands out as one that is truly Cool Kentucky. If you know anything about Jack, you know he proudly reps his home state in everything he does and everywhere he goes. That might have something to do with the latest “Hometown Hero” banner at the intersection of Broadway and Barret that features him.

Visit the Frazier to see this awesome new interactive gallery as we celebrate another year in our state’s history!

Hayley Harlow Rankin
Manager of Collection Impact

Sippin’ with Stephen: Gold Rushes with Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift

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

In today’s episode of Sippin’ with Stephen, my guest is Old Forester master taster Melissa Rift. We talk about the current happenings being offered at the Old Forrester Distillery on Main Street in Downtown Louisville and showcase why this distillery is a must-visit for folks hitting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. In keeping with Sippin’ with Stephen tradition, Melissa shows viewers how to make a Gold Rush cocktail utilizing the Old Forester 1897 Whiskey Row expression.

The recipe can be found below.

Old Forester Gold Rush

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon

• 3/4 oz. honey syrup

• 3/4 oz. lemon juice

Instructions:

Add all ingredient into shaker. Shake until well-combined. Pour into rocks glass on the rocks. Garnish as desired.

Instructions (Honey Syrup):

To make your own honey syrup, follow these easy instructions.

First, heat 1 part of water in a medium saucepan until hot, but do not bring it to a boil. Next, stir 2 parts of honey into the water frequently until it has fully dissolved and created a syrup-like consistency. Last, cool the honey simple syrup to room temperature, then filter into a glass jar or bottle before storing. Simple syrup can be stored for up to 2–3 weeks in a refrigerator.

And don’t forget, Bourbon enthusiasts, that June 1–14 is Old Fashioned Fortnight in Louisville! With the support of Louisville Tourism, a spotlight is shined on the spirited Bourbon concoction with special exhibits, events, and cocktail classes. The Frazier History Museum offers a daily Craft-Your-Own-Cocktail Class, sponsored by Old Forester, that shows guests how to make the perfect Old Fashioned cocktail. For more on the Frazier’s Bourbon experiences, visit our web page. For more on the Old Fashioned Fortnight happenings, visit Louisville Tourism’s website.

Stephen Yates
Community & Corporate Sales Manager

Museum Shop: Old Fashioned Fortnight Apparel

Old Fashioned Fortnight is back! Celebrate the official cocktail of Louisville with your own Old Fashioned getup. Our comfy Call Me Old Fashioned t-shirts also come in nice navy blue. All our Old Fashioned items are guaranteed conversation starters: you’ll be surprised by the amount of debate that can occur over this simple and delicious cocktail. And, just for the record, the right way to make an Old Fashioned is with Kentucky Bourbon! Get your gear to celebrate Old Fashioned Fortnight on the Museum Shop’s website now.

Party Like it’s 1929 at Michter’s Speakeasy at the Frazier

Tell your friends—but don’t tell the coppers. After all, this is a speakeasy!

Get ready to transport yourself back to the Roaring Twenties as Michter’s Distillery takes over the Frazier History Museum on June 22. This is your chance to don your best flapper dress or pinstripe suit and sip on some of the finest whiskey around. Once inside, you’ll be transported to a world of delicious Michter’s cocktails, toe-tappin’ tunes from Billy Goat Strut Revue, and a dance contest judged by Bravo Dance Studio. Toss in a best-dressed contest judged by the Nitty Gritty, makeup by Gibson Glam, and great grub from Bristol Catering—and this speakeasy is sure to hit on all sixes.

So get your ticket and mark your calendar for June 22 to party with Michter’s like it’s 1929! Just remember, what happens at the speakeasy stays at the speakeasy.

Haley Hicky
Product & Program Manager

Curator Amanda Briede on 2023 AAM Annual Conference and MuseumExpo

Just a few short weeks ago, I had the honor of attending the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Conference in Denver to accept an award for the advancement of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion on behalf of the Frazier. It was a whirlwind trip, and I am still processing all the incredible parts of the conference.

Over the course of three days, I attended ten panel discussions and presentations and four workshops. I browsed the MuseumExpo where I met vendors making all types of products for museums. I went to a meetup for a new LGBTQ+ Museum at a historic gay bar, attended the Leadership Dinner at the Denver Art Museum, and partied on the final night at the History Colorado Center. I met up with colleagues from Kentucky and met new ones from all over the country.

Some of the sessions I went to were very practical, like one that outlined types of programs that appeal to the growing homeschooling audience. Others were very emotionally heavy, like one workshop that challenged us to think about how we apply modern LGBTQ+ terms to historic figures. But each of the sessions was so inspiring in its own way. I am in awe of the many types of museums around the country, big and small, that are finding ways to be meaningful to their communities.

At the award ceremony, I was so fortunate to be able to meet some of the other museum professionals who were also there to accept an award. I met Xiomara Blanco, media producer at the Historic New Orleans Collection. She was awarded the Nancy Hanks Award for Rising Stars for revolutionizing her museum’s digital content during the COVID pandemic and continuing her work in new ways afterwards. I also met Sal Bell Alper from the Exploratorium in San Francisco. They were recognized for DEAI advancement for their program Striving for Trans-Inclusion and Anti-Racism in Science learning program (STARS). This STEAM program offers a safe place for youth of all races and gender identities to learn and feel welcome in the fields of science.

Since the conference, my head has been swimming with so many ideas. The theme of the conference this year was Social and Community Impact and I am looking forward to applying what I learned to help deepen the Frazier’s relationships within our community to help us better tell the history of all Kentuckians.

I’d like to personally extend my congratulations to my colleagues here at the Frazier, to our many partners throughout the state, and to you, our Frazier community and supporters. It was an honor for me to accept the award for DEAI advancement on behalf of everyone who has helped to make our museum a welcoming place for everyone.

Amanda Briede
Curator

Last Chance to Get Tickets to Tomorrow’s Brohm Family Program

We thought we would have a little fun with this throwback picture of the Brohms that dates back to 1993. You know, our first family of football!  This is your last chance to buy tickets to our program tomorrow night featuring the Brohm Squad.

We’re ready to usher in a new era of football at the University of Louisville with head coach Jeff Brohm, chief of staff Greg Brohm, and offensive coordinator Brian Brohm. The parents will be here, too, along with their sister Kim. Get your tickets now to help welcome them home in style.

Rachel Platt
Director of Community Engagement

Join Us July 23 for Live the Impossible with Jenny Smith

There are people you meet in life who just astound you with their tenacity and courage—and, for me, Jenny Smith is one of them.

I got to know her while working at WHAS-TV, following a cheerleading accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down more than thirty years ago.

Having stayed in touch with her though the years, I remain in awe of how she has overcome adversity. Her recent book Live the Impossible is a lesson for all of us, and I can’t wait for her to share her story on July 23 at the Frazier.

Her book is next up for the Frazier Summer Book Club.

The program is free with the cost of admission, and free to Frazier members. You can sign up for the program here.

Trust me: you don’t want to miss what Jenny has to say.

Rachel Platt
Director of Community Engagement

Paducah-Born USS Constitution Commander Welcomes Kentucky Tourists

With school out, summer plans are in full swing! If your summer travels take you to Boston, I highly recommend a visit to the USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides.” I was there back in the spring and ran into Commander Billie J. Farrell on deck. She is the first woman to command the historic ship, which is the oldest in the American fleet and the oldest ship in the world still afloat. Commander Farrell also happens to be a Kentucky native! She was born in Paducah.

I was thrilled that she remembered me from the time I interviewed her after she first took command in 2022. She also told me I wasn’t the first Kentuckian to visit her that week: Governor Andy Beshear had brought his family to meet her just a few days prior.

Mick Sullivan
Curator Guest Experience

Bridging the Divide

City’s Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration to Include Frazier Museum

The city has announced its lineup for the Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration. Juneteenth is the oldest known holiday commemorating the final communication of the abolition of slavery in the United States.

You can read the entire rundown of events here. Our program at the Frazier with former Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker will take place on Juneteenth itself, Monday, June 19, and thus conclude the city’s nine-day celebration.

You can read more about our program here. Admission is free, but registration is required.

And keep reading to learn more about how the Kentucky Opera is embracing the commemoration with Amplify: Songs of Justice on June 10.

Rachel Platt
Director of Community Engagement

Kentucky Opera to Premiere Amplify: Songs of Justice June 10

Theatre exists to reflect life back to us, revealing aspects of ourselves that are often neglected, or even hidden. Add music—as we do in opera—and these stories can captivate the heart and the mind in rare and exceptional ways. Song has done this for millennia, even before opera was identified as a specific art form. At Kentucky Opera, we continually ask ourselves, “How could the dramatic stories and songs we feature make our community stronger, healthier, more connected?”

On March 12, 2020, we sent out a notice to our artists and patrons to notify them that we would suspend operations due to the pandemic. That night, many of us went to bed, concerned about what the future would hold. That same night, a local young woman named Breonna Taylor was killed in her bed, sparking an outcry of injustice in our community that was further fueled by the killing of George Floyd only a couple of months later. They joined countless others whose lives were needlessly cut short.

As a company that exists to connect and strengthen our community, we questioned what we should do. What we could do. We spent 2020 utilizing digital platforms to create conversations that explored our local community’s thoughts and feelings on the topic of Justice. We posed public questions and collected the crowd-sourced answers.

This conversation echoed the chants and cries of decades past. We recognize, and still sing, the songs of the civil rights movement in the 1960s—but where were our songs, our stories for the Movement of Today? As a company who sings stories of and for Kentuckians, we realized that Kentucky Opera needed to uplift this movement through song. We engaged artists and our community to bring our local stories to life, including the commissioning of Civil Rights Songs for Louisville. Inspired by the conversations of our community, composer Jorell Williams set music to lyrics by Paula McCraney.

We will premiere these songs at the kickoff event for Metro Louisville’s official week-long Juneteenth Jubilee Celebration. This concert will feature these songs, songs from the 1960s movement, and ones that share our hopes and dreams of justice for the future.

Barbara Lynne Jamison
General Director & CEO, Kentucky Opera
Guest Contributor