The Frazier History Museum (formerly the Frazier Historical Arms Museum and, more recently, the Frazier International History Museum) is a museum in Louisville, Kentucky's "Museum Row" in the West Main District of downtown. It is named for the museum's founder Owsley Brown Frazier. There are traveling exhibitions on display that are on loan from various sources. In addition, a number of costumed interpreters are employed, who perform daily historical interpretations as well as live demonstrations. Educational, cultural and entertainment activities are hosted at the museum throughout the day and evening. The museum is an affiliate in the Smithsonian Affiliations program. The museum has a Rooftop Garden and Loft event space that are often rented for weddings or corporate events.
The Frazier History Museum has announced that the museum will explore and develop the concept of a new and expanded bourbon experience that will include a visitor center and, in partnership with the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA), will serve as an official starting point to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.
The facilities include 75,000 square feet (7,000Â m2) of exhibition space over three floors, as well as two areas for interpretations, a 120-seat auditorium, and various displays (including multimedia, interactive and audio-visual). The Frazier Museum Store is on the first floor in the front of the museum, that offers local Kentucky gifts.
The museum formerly (May 2004 â€" January 2015) displayed British Royal Armouries artifacts, making them the only place in the world outside Great Britain to permanently house and display such artifacts.
Collections
The museum focuses on historical objects from the last 1,000 years. Items in the collection include a rifle reputedly once owned by George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick" hunting rifle, and items once owned by "Buffalo Bill" Cody and the outlaw Jesse James. The museum also features traveling exhibits.
In 2010 the Civil War's oldest remaining monument, the 32nd Indiana Monument, was placed in the lobby for free viewing.
See also
- List of attractions and events in the Louisville metropolitan area
- Higgins Armory Museum
References
External links
- Frazier History Museum website
- Royal Armouries website
- A visitor's experience: The Frazier Historical Arms Museum (myArmoury.com article)
- Special Dragon Exhibit June 2 - Sept 4 Summer exhibit
