By Angie Fenton • Photos by The Frazier History Museum, Kathryn Harrington & VOICE-TRIBUNE
“We are where the world meets Kentucky,” enthuses Frazier History Museum President & CEO Andy Treinen. “We tell stories that last a long time, and we tell stories that make people feel something.”
Located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, the museum has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception two decades ago. Originally conceived as an arms museum and now in its 20th year, it has evolved into a multifaceted institution dedicated to preserving and presenting the rich tapestry of Kentucky’s history to the world.
To begin, the Frazier History Museum was founded in 2004 by Owsley Brown Frazier, a prominent Louisville businessman and philanthropist who donated more than $500 million in his lifetime and allegedly spent more than $32 million of his own money building the museum.
Initially named the Frazier Historical Arms Museum, its primary focus was to display Frazier’s extensive collection of arms, armor, and historical artifacts. The collection boasted over 1,000 pieces, including swords, firearms, and suits of armor dating back to the medieval period.
The museum’s initial objective was to provide a comprehensive view of the evolution of weaponry and its artistry and impact on history. It featured artifacts from significant historical events, such as the Battle of Hastings, the Crusades, and the American Civil War. Exhibits were meticulously curated to illustrate the craftsmanship and technological advancements in arms and armor over the centuries.
Despite its initial success – which was immense – the museum’s leadership soon recognized the need to expand its scope beyond arms and armor to appeal to a broader audience. That included delving into how best to reflect the diverse history of Kentucky and, ultimately, its impact throughout the country. This realization led to a pivotal shift in the museum’s mission and identity.
The transition began in earnest around 2010 when the museum started to incorporate exhibits that told a wider array of stories from American history: exhibits on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Civil War, and Prohibition. By 2012, the museum had rebranded itself as the Frazier History Museum to reflect its broader focus.
One of the significant milestones in this transformation was the acquisition of the Stewart Historic Miniatures Collection. This extensive collection of over 30,000 historical miniatures, ranging from ancient civilizations to the 20th century, provided the museum with a valuable resource for storytelling and educational programming.
As the museum continued to evolve, it placed increasing emphasis on Kentucky’s unique and rich heritage. This shift was marked by the development of several key exhibits and programs that highlighted the state’s cultural and historical contributions.
In 2014, the museum partnered with the Kentucky Distillers’ Association to create the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center, an immersive exhibit that celebrates the history and craftsmanship of bourbon, a quintessential aspect of Kentucky’s identity. This exhibit not only draws bourbon enthusiasts but also educates visitors about the economic and cultural significance of the bourbon industry in Kentucky.
Another notable addition was the Cool Kentucky exhibit, which opened in 2017. This interactive exhibit showcased notable Kentuckians and their contributions to various fields, including politics, sports, and the arts. Figures such as Muhammad Ali, Abraham Lincoln, and Diane Sawyer were featured, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the state’s influence on American culture. The draw propelled the growth of the museum as it had begun cementing itself as a cornerstone of the Commonwealth.
The museum also launched the Kentucky Rivalries exhibit in 2019, exploring the competitive spirit that has shaped the state’s history. This exhibit examined famous rivalries – such as the University of Kentucky vs. University of Louisville fierce rivalry – and their impact on Kentucky’s social and cultural landscape.
Education has always been a cornerstone of the Frazier History Museum’s mission, even from its beginnings. Over the years, the museum has developed a range of educational programs designed to engage and inspire learners of all ages. These programs include school tours, workshops, and family events that encourage hands-on learning and exploration.
In addition to its educational initiatives, the museum has made significant strides in community engagement. It regularly hosts events, lectures, and performances that bring history to life and foster a sense of community. These events range from historical reenactments to contemporary discussions on social and cultural issues, solidifying its role as a hub for community.
The Frazier also has embraced innovation and technology to enhance the visitor experience and ensure that its exhibits are engaging and accessible. Interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and augmented reality experiences are integrated into many of the exhibits, providing visitors with dynamic and immersive ways to explore history.
The museum has developed a comprehensive online presence, with virtual tours and digital exhibits that allow people from around the world to explore its collections. This digital outreach was particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the museum to continue its educational mission despite physical closures, and it remains a useful, innovative, and educational online opportunity.
Today, the Frazier stands as a testament to the power of adaptation and innovation in the cultural sector. Its journey from a specialized arms museum to a broad-based historical institution reflects a commitment to inclusivity and education. The museum’s diverse exhibits and programs are important and imperative. They are a main force that challenges tough conversations and encourages getting comfortable being uncomfortable in an effort to let loose preconceived notions and beliefs in lieu of truly trying to step into another’s shoes.
As it looks to the future and the next two decades ahead, the Frazier remains dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Kentucky and the wider world. With ongoing efforts to expand its collections, enhance its exhibits, and engage even further with the community, the museum is poised to continue its role as a vital cultural and educational resource for years to come.
The Frazier History Museum’s evolution from an arms museum to a comprehensive historical institution is a remarkable story of growth and transformation. But what would its founder, Owsley Brown Frazier, think?
“If my grandfather walked in through the front doors today,” said Amelia Frazier Theobald he would be ecstatically proud of how far this museum has come.”
OBSERVING OWSLEY: A WRITER’S PERSPECTIVE
I have always been fascinated by history, but a museum dedicated solely to weaponry? How, I wondered, could that last and achieve longevity – let alone create a lasting legacy?
Those weren’t judgments; just mere queries from a new Kentuckian who had lived in the Commonwealth for less than two years when the Frazier Historical Arms Museum opened to the public in downtown Louisville on May 22th, 2004.
I knew of Owsley Brown Frazier from afar, particularly through his love for the University of Louisville Cardinals. He was, to this outsider, imposing, impervious, focused, and – if you were lucky enough to catch sight of him in a personal moment – sharply witty with a clear sense of humor. If you had his attention, even for a moment, he had a way of making you feel like you mattered.
Sure, he was known for his incredible wealth and philanthropy. Numerous buildings and awards bear his name, and rightfully so. But there was so much more behind the public face: He was a visionary who, by all accounts, would be beyond pleased at how his arms museum has transformed into a cornerstone of showcasing Kentucky to the world.
The story of what ignited that passion, though, begins with a tale of loss: When a tornado hit Louisville during the 1974 super outbreak, it destroyed Owsley’s home and caused the loss of a rare Kentucky long rifle, a cherished family heirloom made for his great-great-grandfather in Bardstown in the 1820’s and gifted to him by his grandfather in 1952. Though Owsley never recovered the rifle, his search for it ignited a lifelong passion for collecting antique weapons. Included in his collection: Daniel Boone’s family Bible, a 5-foot-long flintlock rifle owned by George Washington, the1863 ivory-handled Colt Navy pistols of Gen. George Armstrong Custer, the well-worn bow and quivers of Apache warrior Geronimo and Teddy Roosevelt’s ‘big stick’ safari rifle.
In 2000, Owsley loaned this extensive arms collection to the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort. According to archival articles that ran in The Courier-Journal (now Courier Journal), about 10,000 people turned out for the two-month exhibit titled, “The Weapon as Art.” Buoyed by the response, Owsley sought to found a museum that would place his private collection on permanent display. The stated mission, according to the initial website: “To acclaim the artistry, craftsmanship, and technological innovation of weapons and their makers, and to create a dynamic context within which to understand and appreciate the ways in which fine arms have celebrated American culture throughout its history.”
Now, here we are, two decades later and Owsley’s vision of creating dynamic context via a museum has extended far beyond what many of us ever imagined, and our lives are richer for it. Thanks to Owsley, the board of directors, and an administrative staff that is headed up by President & CEO Andy Treinen. The longevity Owsley sought and that legacy he so deserved are both a sure shot.
FRAZIER HISTORY MUSEUM
Where the world meets Kentucky
829 W. Main St. Louisville
(502) 753-5663
@fraziermuseum on Facebook
@frazierhistorymuseum on Instagram + TikTok
Open 10 AM to 5 PM Monday-Saturday; 11 AM to 4 PM Sunday
*Hours are subject to change; refer to museum’s Facebook page for most recent updates
THE KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL WELCOME CENTER
Open since 2018 and located on the first floor of the Frazier History Museum, the welcome center is the Official Starting Ppoint of the Kemtucky Bourbon Trail.
FRAZIER HISTORY MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
J. McCauley “Mac” Brown
Chairman of the Board
Kevin Borland
Vice Chair
Charles W. Stewart
Secretary
Pamela Thompson
Treasurer
John McCall
General Counsel
Walter Crutcher
J. Mark Dorsey
Bruce Farrer
Clarence Glover
Cordt Huneke
Anne Jewell
James S. Joy
Larry Lowe
Joseph J. Magliocco
Matt McCall
Deb Murphy
Penny Peavler
Sharon Potter
W. Mark Preston
John Receveur
Todd Spencer
Kerry M. Stemler
William A. Stone
Judge Derwin Webb
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