Frazier International History Museum
Encyclopedia
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
's "Museum Row" in the West Main District
West Main District (Louisville)
The West Main District is one of the five districts of downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The district, or a portion of it, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as West Main Street Historic District, due to its containment of some of the oldest structures in the city...
of downtown
Downtown Louisville
Downtown Louisville is the largest central business district in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the urban hub of the Louisville, Kentucky Metropolitan Area. Its boundaries are the Ohio River to the north, Hancock Street to the east, York and Jacob Streets to the south, and 9th Street to the west...
. It is named for the museum's founder Owsley Brown Frazier
Owsley Brown Frazier
Owsley Brown Frazier is a philanthropist from Louisville, Kentucky USA who founded the Frazier International History Museum. He is retired from the board of directors of the Brown-Forman corporation, which his grandfather George Garvin Brown founded in 1870, and is one of the largest American-owned...
. The museum is an affiliate in the Smithsonian Affiliations program.
The facilities include 75000 square feet (6,967.7 m²) of exhibition space over three floors, as well as two areas for interpretations, a 120-seat auditorium, a 48-seat movie theater, and various displays (including multimedia, interactive and audio-visual). The Frazier Museum Store is on the first floor in the front of the museum, and contains a small vending/eating area.
A number of costumed interpreters are employed, and a tournament ring features live demonstrations on the use of arms and armor. There are educational, cultural and entertainment activities at the museum throughout the day and evening. There are also traveling exhibitions on display that are on loan from various sources. In addition, the museum has a fifth-floor rooftop garden that can be rented for activities.
Collections
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
arms, armor and other historical objects from the last 1,000 years. Among the exhibits are firearms, shields, swords, suits of armor and medieval weapons. It is the only museum in the world to have a satellite museum of the Royal Armouries
Royal Armouries
The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom's National Museum of Arms and Armour. It is the United Kingdom's oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world. It is also one of the largest collections of arms and armour in the world, comprising the UK's National Collection of Arms and...
(Britain's oldest museum). Items in the collection include a rifle reputedly once owned by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick" hunting rifle, and items once owned by "Buffalo Bill
Buffalo Bill
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a United States soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory , in LeClaire but lived several years in Canada before his family moved to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US...
" Cody and the outlaw Jesse James
Jesse James
Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He also faked his own death and was known as J.M James. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary...
. The museum also features traveling exhibits.
The Frazier is also home to The Royal Armouries USA—a component of Britain's Royal Armouries
Royal Armouries
The Royal Armouries is the United Kingdom's National Museum of Arms and Armour. It is the United Kingdom's oldest museum, and one of the oldest museums in the world. It is also one of the largest collections of arms and armour in the world, comprising the UK's National Collection of Arms and...
. The Frazier is the only national museum outside of Great Britain to house a collection representing British artifacts from the 11th to the 20th centuries. The Royal Armouries galleries span the entire third floor of The Frazier and provide an in-depth look at British and European history, as well as capturing the art of early arms making.
In 2010 the Civil War's oldest remaining monument, the 32nd Indiana Monument
32nd Indiana Monument
The 32nd Indiana Monument, also known as the August Bloedner Monument, is located in Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. It honors the fallen soldiers of the 32nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the "1st German," at the Battle of Rowlett's Station, near...
, was placed in the lobby for free viewing.
See also
External links
- Frazier International History Museum website
- A visitor's experience: The Frazier Historical Arms Museum (myArmoury.com article)
- Special Dragon Exhibit June 2 - Sept 4 Summer exhibit