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Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

4/23/2010 - 9/6/2010
The American Soldier-- A Photographic Tribute Visitors to the Frazier International History Museum can experience the courage, camaraderie and human drama of U.S. servicemen and women in action as captured in the unique traveling exhibition, “The American Soldier– A Photographic Tribute.” The exhibition assembles 116 images taken from the earliest use of photographic apparatus to today’s digital cameras, and covers Americans in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. As the first comprehensive photographic record of its kind, “The American Soldier” captures the danger and frustration, humor and companionship, victory and death that the men and women who have risked their lives to serve our country have encountered. To further honor this sacrifice, active military and military veterans will receive free admission to the Frazier Museum on Memorial Day, May 31, 2010, and Independence Day, Sunday July 4, 2010. The museum also is asking local military personnel and veterans to share their own photos from military service through the Frazier Museum’s Facebook fan page, www.Facebook.com/FrazierHistoryMuseum. While at the museum, visitors are encouraged to choose a card and write a personal message that will be sent to men and women currently serving overseas. “The American Soldier– A Photographic Tribute” runs through September 6, 2010. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

5/15/2010 - 9/7/2010
Pirates: Treasure & Treachery Come aboard and explore centuries of pirate legends and lore with new exhibition! Haul in the gang plank, me hearties! …They lived by their own rules and died by them. And 300 years after their golden age, we remain captivated by pirates. On May 15, the Frazier International History Museum opened its own original exhibition, “Pirates: Treasure & Treachery,” a thrilling interactive exhibit that offers an unparalleled look at life under the infamous black flag. “Pirates” features genuine treasure and artifacts, as well as touchable components and games never before seen by the public. Step into a pirates’ tavern. Learn the Pirate’s Code. See real pirates’ gold, silver and gems for yourself, along with authentic maps and coins. This fun, all-ages exhibition is designed to appeal to the adventurous spirit in adults and children, alike, and is included with the cost of museum admission. Visitors will learn about the stirring sagas of world-famous pirates, including Black Bart Roberts, Captain Kidd and others, as well as meet swashbuckling female pirates. “Pirates: Treasure & Treachery” explores the differences between real-life pirates and their counterparts in fiction and movies. It examines the true stories of buccaneers, privateers and pirates, including modern-day, sea-bound gangs and those who sought their fortunes on the Ohio River. Ahoy, bilge rats! As part of the Frazier Museum’s presentation of this one-of-a-kind exhibition, visitors will see history come off the page and onto the stage through a number of engaging daily historical performances. These include “Anne Bonny,” an interpretation about one of history’s most notorious female pirates, along with an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” performed on the museum’s rooftop. Prepare for adventure, swinging cutlasses and plenty of black powder gunfire! “Treasure Island” lasts about 30 minutes and features six actors and a full set, making it the museum’s biggest production to date. In July, “Pirates: Fact and Fiction,” a performance exploring the popular image of pirates versus the brutal reality, opens. Click here for a daily interpretation schedule. Arrrgh, mateys! This summer, the Frazier Museum’s got something for the pirate in everyone with a schedule of fun special events and programs. The sold-out “A Pirate Adventure” summer camp ran June 7 through 11 and June 21 through 25, in addition to other Frazier Museum summer camp offerings. On July 8, the Frazier Museum hosted “Scallywags’ Sunset Soiree” from 6 to 9 p.m. with music from Dem Reggae Bon. Guests to this rooftop cocktail party enjoyed lots of grub and grog. This fun event was sponsored by Brown Forman. On September 4, 2010, come to our annual Founder's Day celebration bedecked in your best pirate apparel and help us break a Guinness World Record for “largest gathering of pirates!” “Pirates: Treasure & Treachery” is presented by Bosse Mattingly, with generous support from Brown-Forman and GE. For more, including a complete schedule of events, fun games and pirate loot, visit www.FrazierPirates.com or call (502) 753-5663. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

9/25/2010 - 12/31/2010
Pony Express, Revisited The Frazier Museum presents "Pony Express, Revisited," a re-examination of history and a present-day photographic observation of the famous route that lives on in the American imagination. This series of photographs captures the poetry and irony of America’s past and present westward expansion, while referencing its romanticism and the urgency of communication. This mini-exhibition opens in time to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ride of the Pony Express, as well as the 2010 Equestrian World Games in Lexington, Ky. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

10/23/2010 - 3/27/2011
Water Works: 150 Years of the Louisville Water Company Louisville residents get the chance to see a resource they use and consume everyday from a completely different perspective. Come examine the rich history of this innovative institution through a wonderful archive incorporated into an interactive exhibit that illustrates just how "water works" in our community.

Calendar of Events

8/14/2010
Equality Day: Winning the Vote for Women SECOND SATURDAY Family Day Join the Frazier International History Museum for a girl power themed SECOND SATURDAY on August 14, 2010. From 12 to 5 p.m., this family friendly day will feature crafts, games, activities and historical performances revolving around the theme, “Equality Day: Winning the Vote for Women.” Make and wear your own buttons, sashes and fans. Enjoy a short film chronicling the history of the 19th Amendment and the fight by women to gain the right to vote in, “Votes For Women.” Explore what woman—historical or living—has inspired you. See live historical performances throughout the day depicting women who made significant contributions throughout history, such as Annie Oakley, Joan of Arc, Juliette Gordon Low and others. Museum admission and all SECOND SATURDAY activities are FREE to Kids Club members (for children ages 5 to 14). For more information on the Frazier Museum, call (502) 753-5663. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

8/19/2010
The Tragic Life of Harry Independence Clay BITE OF HISTORY Lecture Series Eric Brooks, Curator of Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate in Lexington, discusses the famous statesman’s grandson using artifacts, documents and slides. For nearly 12 months, Harry Independence Clay lived thousands of miles from home in the company of total strangers, often in darkness and brutal cold.Yet, those were the best days of his life. He lived a tragically short life strewn with heartbreak, but managed to play a significant role in one of American’s greatest Arctic expeditions. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches. FREE. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

8/25/2010
Doubloon Day In conjunction with the "Pirates: Treasure & Treachery" exhibit, museum admission is just $1... Okay, so we know that a doubloon is worth more than 100 cents, but let's just pretend! For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

8/27/2010
Pirates: Treasure & Treachery Homeschool Day Learning opportunities include pirate-themed activities in the galleries, live performances and storytelling by costumed interpreters and exploration of our temporary exhibit, “Pirates: Treasure and Treachery.” In the museum classroom, hands-on workshops led by museum educators are available for an additional fee. Advanced reservations and payment required. Call (502) 753-5663 to reserve a spot today! For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

9/3/2010
Kentucky Pioneers & Tools of the Trade FIRST FRIDAY - Homeschool Groups Programming During this hands-on program, students explore the life and hardships of early Kentucky pioneers. Students handle tools from the past and make predictions about their uses, explore the galleries to complete an investigation guide about the history of Kentucky and see live performances. Advanced reservations and payment required. Call (502) 753-5663 today! For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

9/4/2010
Founder's Day/World Record Attempt On September 4, 2010, come to our annual Founder's Day celebration bedecked in your best pirate apparel and help us break a Guinness World Record for “largest gathering of pirates!” The current record is 2,300. So come bedecked in your pirate best, ready to pillage, plunder and claim the record as ours! Everyone is welcome to this fun-for-all-ages street carnival, which includes games, food, inflatables, music, educational crafts and exciting performances by our costumed interpreters! Museum admission is also FREE, including the temporary exhibit, "Pirates: Treasure & Treachery." Founder's Day is sponsored by Brown-Forman. Founder’s Day is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pirate registration for the record attempt is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with the record attempt immediately following from 11:35 to 11:50 a.m. You must be outfitted in the required pirate dress code in order to qualify. Pirates of all ages qualify, so kids are welcome to participate. According to official Guinness guidelines, costumes must consist of the following: • Pirate-style Hat or Head Scarf • Eye Patch • Sword (fake ones recommended for the kids) • Appropriate Trousers & Shirt/Waistcoat or Dress Participants must: • Be able to sign the official Log Book • Agree to be photographed/videotaped • Be gathered for a full 15 minutes after counting. This family-friendly event is a great conclusion to the summer, and one you will not want to miss! For more tips, click here. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

9/11/2010
The Wild, Wild West SECOND SATURDAY Family Day Git along little doggies to a Wild West-themed SECOND SATURDAY event. We’ll have a rootin’ tootin’ time with cowboy-themed interpretations, activities like lasso throwing and singing cattle lullabies, and makin’ all kinds of gear we’d need out on the range. And as always, museum admission and all SECOND SATURDAY activities are FREE for all children ages 5-14 ridin’ with the Kids Club posse! For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

9/16/2010
Abraham Lincoln and the Underground Railroad in Kentucky BITE OF HISTORY Lecture Series In this multimedia presentation, Stephen A. Brown, author and former Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Education Specialist, presents documentation showing slave owning neighbors, slave dealers and established Underground Railroad activity in Kentucky. Presented in part by funding from the Kentucky Humanities Council. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches. FREE. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

10/1/2010
Armor of Yesterday and Today FIRST FRIDAY - Homeschool Groups Programming How have people protected themselves over the centuries? Students use their observational skills and historic inquiry to investigate armor and discover first-hand how it has changed over time. Students put their scientific minds to work as they examine where armor is evident in nature and discover armor and weaponry of the middle ages, tournaments and heraldry. The program concludes with a live performances. Advanced reservations and payment required. Call (502) 753-5663 to reserve a spot today! For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

10/9/2010
Frazier Fiesta! SECOND SATURDAY Family Day Learn about and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Enjoy the sights, sounds and spices of Latin America. Special activities encourage families to discover the tradition of El Dia de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead," a special holiday in which the living happily and lovingly remember and celebrate their loved relatives who have died. Museum admission and all SECOND SATURDAY activities are FREE for all amigos, ages 5-14, who have joined Kids Club! For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

10/21/2010
George Rogers Clark: Conqueror of the Old Northwest? BITE OF HISTORY Lecture Series The life of George Rogers Clark was rife with military successes. Author Ken Carstens summarizes his military exploits and discusses if Clark can claim the title, "Conqueror of the Old Northwest," as some historians have asserted. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunches. FREE. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663

10/27/2010 - 10/28/2010
Tales of Edgar Allen Poe LIVING HISTORY Performance Series Our Interpretations department brings the terror, grisly surprise and delight of one of America’s greatest storytellers, Edgar Allan Poe, to the live stage. Through some very special LIVING HISTORY performances, and with the help of the University of Louisville Early Music Ensemble, audiences will experience a selection of Poe’s best known works. For More Information: Guest Services Phone: (502) 753-5663