Frazier Weekly
Monday, August 15, 2022
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Good morning!
Next week, our president, Andy Treinen, will be recognized as a Nonprofit Visionary Leader Awards honoree. This recognition is no surprise for those of us who work with Andy every day. We see firsthand his passion and dedication to making the museum mean more to more people, to making the Frazier a place where everyone feels welcome and sees themselves in the stories of Kentucky. During the height of the pandemic, Andy led the way with innovative ideas like free membership for over 23,000 of our regional neighbors, education and entertainment content offered daily, now weekly, in Frazier Weekly; and Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, designed to bring people back downtown. We as a staff could not be more proud of Andy and thankful for his leadership.
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Owsley Brown Frazier, undated. Credit: Frazier History Museum. |
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Andy follows in the footsteps of our visionary founder, Mr. Owsley Brown Frazier. Mr. Frazier’s vision for a museum came from a single exhibition of his collection at the Kentucky History Museum in Frankfort. It was the “best-received, best-attended exhibit the museum had ever had.” In Mr. Frazier’s own words, “the Frazier Museum was an outgrowth of that success.” His original idea was to start a small museum in Louisville, but as fortune would have it, the British Armouries was looking for a partner in the United States to house some of their collection—and with that, Mr. Frazier’s small museum went from 10,000 square feet to the Frazier History Museum we recognize today. Collection pieces from that original exhibition can be seen at the museum; Simon Meiners shares some of Mr. Frazier’s favorites below.
Tomorrow will mark the tenth anniversary of Owsley Brown Frazier’s death. His loss was devastating not only to his family, friends, and those who worked for him, but for our community. As Mr. Frazier’s good friend and current Frazier board member Bill Stone was quoted in a 2004 Lane Report article, “If the good Lord had to endow a fortune to anyone, he picked the right person in Owsley.” From the University of Louisville to Bellarmine University, the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, the Frazier History Museum, and beyond, Mr. Frazier’s generosity made a lasting impact and changed the landscape of Louisville.
Every day, Andy, the board of directors, and the staff strive toward the vision for the museum: “To be a compelling destination about Kentucky’s culture, its heritage, and its relationship to the world.” We hope Mr. Frazier would be proud of what his namesake offers to our community, and we work every day to be worthy of his vision of the Frazier History Museum.
In this edition of Frazier Weekly, Stephen Yates welcomes Luca Mariano master blender Jennifer Brandt to Sippin’ With Stephen, Amanda Egan writes about the upcoming August member Book Club, and Rachel Platt’s Bridging the Divide features the (Un)Known Project.
Enjoy!
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Lonna Versluys
Director of Advancement
Frazier History Museum
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Five Founder’s Gallery Objects That Exemplify the Art of the Weapon
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Detail of one case in the Founder’s Gallery on the second floor of the Frazier Museum, August 14, 2022. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
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If you’re reading this article, then you—as one of our 40,000 Frazier Weekly subscribers!—know what the Frazier History Museum is: It’s the place where the world meets Kentucky.
But did you know the Frazier was originally an arms museum?
Our founder, Owsley Brown Frazier, was a wealthy businessman and philanthropist in Louisville. When a tornado struck the city during the 1974 Super Outbreak, it destroyed Mr. Frazier’s home, and a rare Kentucky long rifle he owned—a family heirloom made for his great-great-grandfather in Bardstown, Kentucky, in the 1820s and gifted to him by his grandfather in 1952—disappeared.
Mr. Frazier would never find the rifle. But his search for it would spark a passion for collecting antique weapons.
In 2000, the year he stepped down as vice-chairman of Brown-Forman, he loaned his arms collection to the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort for a special exhibition titled The Weapon as Art. The exhibition ran for two months, but it was attended by about 10,000 people. Inspired by the turnout, Frazier decided to found a museum where he could showcase his private collection on permanent public display.
Located at 829 West Main Street in downtown Louisville, the Owsley Brown Frazier Historical Arms Museum opened to the public May 22, 2004. Its stated mission was “to acclaim the artistry, craftsmanship, and technological innovation of weapons and their makers.”
The initial collection consisted of roughly 1,500 objects from the personal collection of Mr. Frazier, dating from 1492 to World War I, and approximately 350 objects borrowed from the Royal Armouries in Leeds, United Kingdom, dating from 1066 to the 1960s. Combined, the collections included guns, cannons, swords, daggers, and other historical arms and armor sourced from Flanders, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, as well as life-size tableaux of mannequins and horse figures depicting battle scenes from European history.
In the past eighteen years, however, the museum has rebranded to focus on Kentucky and its place in the world. Consequently, a number of objects that were part of the museum’s permanent collection in 2004—many of them weapons—have since been deaccessioned.
Fortunately, some of these objects remain on display in the Founder’s Gallery on the second floor of the museum.
In honor of Mr. Frazier, who passed away ten years ago this week, I’d like to share images of five objects in the Founder’s Gallery that exemplify “the art of the weapon.” Although the objects all have fascinating histories—they date from the 1580s to the 1880s and hail from such remote places as St. Gallen, Switzerland, and Skeleton Canyon, Arizona Territory—their aesthetic qualities are what’s front and center.
To learn more about the objects, you can read the wall panels displayed in the Founder’s Gallery.
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.63-caliber snap matchlock target rifle made c. 1580–1600, 2003. Origin is South German (Nuremberg?) or Netherlandish (Antwerp). Made of steel and wood with bone inlay. Credit: John Fitzgerald, Frazier History Museum. |
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Detail of officer’s hanger and scabbard made c. 1770 that belonged to Dr. Josiah Bartlett (1729–95), 2003. The blade is probably English, and the hilt is perhaps Colonial American (Boston?). Credit: John Fitzgerald, Frazier History Museum. |
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Cased pair of .36-caliber New Model 1861 Navy Revolvers with accessories, 1863, that belonged to George Armstrong and Elizabeth Custer, 2003. Made in Hartford, Connecticut. The pistols are silver and gold-plated engraved steel; the case and accessories are mahogany, velvet, steel, and copper with silver plating. Credit: John Fitzgerald, Frazier History Museum. |
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Self bow and quiver of arrows made c. mid-1800s–1886 and attributed to Geronimo (1829–1909), 2003. The bow is made of wood, leather, paint, and cord; the quiver is made of leather, rawhide, wood, cord, and paint; and the arrows are made of wood, stone, and feather. Credit: John Fitzgerald, Frazier History Museum. |
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.43-caliber Schützen rifle made c. 1880 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, 2003. Belonged to Johann Ulrich Baenziger (1821–1906). Made of blued and polished, carved and gilded steel, silver, and Circassian walnut. Credit: John Fitzgerald, Frazier History Museum. |
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Sources
Crawford, Byron. “Unusual Weapons are Art in Exhibit.” Courier Journal. July 7, 2000: B1.
Karcheski, Walter J. Jr. Selections From the Frazier Historical Arms Museum. 2003.
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Simon Meiners
Communications & Research Specialist
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1900s Bar The Knight Owl Pays Homage to Museum’s Founder |
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Owsley Brown Frazier, at left, with a decanter of Bourbon c. 1960s or ‘70s. Credit: Frazier History Museum. |
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“With a greater knowledge of history, we can more fully appreciate the great difficulties, and the great opportunities, that lie ahead. By reconnecting with our past, we can renew a sense of who we are, what we stand for, and where we are headed. We hope that by the time you leave the Frazier Museum, you will share our vision and our passion for history.”
To the man who is responsible for the Frazier’s very existence and essentially everyone’s job here at the museum, a bit of reverence from our staff, to Owsley Brown Frazier, is logical. For yours truly, that admiration is amplified.
As the guy who walks by his portrait, reads his founding quote, and works in his office every day, I am both humbled and honored to carry his torch. Sitting in that office, I’m also often curious what he would think about what’s going on now at the museum with the Frazier name literally forged into metal on the side of the building. It matters to me and I hope he would be proud.
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Wall panel with quote from Owsley Brown Frazier displayed on the museum’s fourth floor, August 12, 2022. Credit: Frazier History Museum. |
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Mr. Frazier’s investment in our community has had an impact on education, healthcare, and athletics that will be felt for decades to come. It is our goal that his museum extends his legacy and tells his story much longer than that.
For that reason and so many others, our team thought it would be appropriate to honor Mr. Frazier in our new inclusive and permanent exhibition about Kentucky, The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall.
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The Knight Owl in the Frazier’s exhibition The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall, August 12, 2022. Credit: Frazier History Museum.
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Our exhibition team gets all the credit here for the creative naming of our new 1900s bar located at the tail end of the exhibition. The Knight Owl is a tribute to Owsley and his love of historic arms. As many of you know, Mr. Frazier brought the Royal Armouries Collection to the Frazier from the UK for a period of ten years. We have several of Mr. Frazier’s favorite pieces on view in our Founder’s Gallery. We hope you’ll agree that the “K” at the beginning of “Knight Owl” just seemed appropriate.
It is just a small token of appreciation from our team, most of whom—myself included—never had the opportunity to meet the man who set the Frazier wheels in motion. With knowledge of his story, it is our job to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
Here’s to you Owsley, the Knight Owl!
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Andy Treinen
President & CEO
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Sippin’ With Stephen: Cherry Bourbon Iced Teas With Luca Mariano Master Blender Jennifer Brandt |
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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
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This month’s Sippin’ With Stephen features Luca Mariano Distillery and their master blender, Jennifer Brandt. Luca Mariano is a distillery located in Danville, Kentucky. Jennifer and I discuss the history and products of Luca Mariano and, in keeping with Sippin’ With Stephen tradition, make a delicious cocktail using their Bourbon. The cocktail we make is a cherry Bourbon Iced Tea drink with Bourbon-soaked cherries. The recipe is below.
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Cherry Bourbon Iced Tea
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Old Americana Bourbon or rye whiskey
- 3 Bourbon-soaked cherries
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- Unsweetened ice tea, to top
Instructions:
Add cherries and lemon juice into a mixing glass and gently muddle. Add the simple syrup and Bourbon, fill the glass with ice, and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice.
Ingredients (Bourbon-soaked Cherries):
- 2 lbs. fresh cherries, pitted and destemmed
- 1 (750 mL) bottle Old Americana Bourbon
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 (1/2 gallon) mason jars
Instructions (Bourbon-soaked Cherries):
Stuff the two half-gallon mason jars with cherries. In a large saucepan of medium heat, bring all other ingredients to a boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine ingredients. Turn off heat and let the mixture cool down before pouring over the cherries. Store the cherries in the refrigerator or a cool dark place.
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Stephen Yates
Community & Corporate Sales Manager
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Engineer Steve Gardner to Discuss Impact of Coal Mining in Kentucky August 28 |
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Graphic for Coal in Kentucky program. Credit: Frazier History Museum. |
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Coal in Kentucky: How it Shaped Our Commonwealth
Sunday, August 28, 3:30 p.m.
Join us as we explore the history and life of coal towns in Kentucky, from the early days to the present. We’ll travel through time to see how mining has shaped the Commonwealth, impacting the lives and communities across the state, from the early 1800s through today—and how its influence will continue in the future.
Steve Gardner—an engineer, owner, and manager of both mining operations and consulting firms who has also served on a volunteer mine rescue team—will be your tour guide. A specialist in natural resources and environmental issues, Gardner will bring the presentation to life with touchable artifacts and some take-home pieces. We will explore the evolution of technology in the mines as well as view artifacts from Mr. Gardner’s personal collection.
This presentation coincides with the Frazier Book Club’s selection of Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn. The event is open to the public, free with the cost of admission or membership to the museum, in our Second Floor Classroom. No RSVPs are necessary.
Become a member today at any level in order to receive free general admission all year long and to save money! Memberships start at $20!
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Amanda Egan
Membership & Database Administrator
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Museum Store: Kentucky Icon Swaddle Blanket |
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Kentucky Icon swaddle blanket sold in the Frazier’s Museum Store. Credit: Frazier History Museum. |
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Meet our new friend Archie: He was born and bred in Kentucky and he likes to rep his home state while also feeling warm and snuggly. With our Kentucky Icon swaddle blanket, Archie achieves his goals and still has time for a nap. Swaddle someone you love with a little bit of Kentucky! Available online or in the Museum Store.
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IDEAS xLab Conducting Survey on Impact of the (Un)Known Project |
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The Frazier has been a proud partner of the (Un)Known Project, with the On the Banks of Freedom installation at Ninth and Tenth Streets on the Louisville Riverwalk, and now ties to that project in our exhibition The Commonwealth: Divided We Fall. The spaces are a way to promote healing, reflection, and reconciliation by honoring the names and telling the stories, both known and unknown, of Black men, women, and children who were enslaved and hidden figures in Louisville and beyond.
If you are familiar with the Project, please keep reading and take this survey below. Thank you.—Rachel Platt, Director of Community Engagement
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Bench installed as part of On the Banks of Freedom, 2022. Credit: Josh Miller.
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Have you engaged with the (Un)Known Project public art installation, participated in an art opening or event, or learned about (Un)Known Project through the news and social media? We’d love to understand how the (Un)Known Project has impacted you. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback!
We believe art and storytelling can transform people, spaces, and cultures—and your responses can help us understand how (Un)Known Project is doing just that.
Help us reach 500 responses and get entered to win (Un)Known Project apparel!
Launched in 2020 by artists Hannah Drake and Josh Miller as an effort of IDEAS xLab, (Un)Known Project uses art installations and experiences to honor the names and tell the stories of Black enslaved people in Louisville, Kentucky, and beyond. Partners include the Frazier History Museum, Roots 101 African American Museum, and Louisville Metro.
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Josh Miller and Hannah Drake
Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, IDEAS xLab
Guest Contributors
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History of Camera Obscuras and Wet-plate Technology, 1826–Present |
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Daguerrotype Corn Island Archaeology laboratory manager Sammie Holmes found at the Beecher Terrace archaeological site in 2021. The object is not on display in the Beecher Terrace case in the Frazier’s West of Ninth exhibition due to concerns about the affect the gallery lights could have on it. Credit: Corn Island Archaeology.
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The history of photography is a fascinating thing going all the way back to Aristotle describing the camera obscura in the fourth century BCE. But what we consider photography truly started in the early nineteenth century with camera obscuras and wet-plate technology.
The “fathers” of modern photography are generally considered Joseph Niepce and Louis Daguerre. In 1826, with a little chemistry, often well known to painters and other artists of the time period, Niepce began experimenting with silver chloride and silver halide as a means of development of images. The problem that presented itself was that the paper was darkening around the image that Niepce wanted to capture so he added pewter coated with bitumen to the experiment. The exposure time, time to capture the photograph, was over eight hours.
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Sammie Holmes
Laboratory Manager, Corn Island Archaeology
Guest Contributor
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West of Ninth Eats: Sweet Peaches in Russell |
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Graphic for West of Ninth Eats. Credit: Frazier History Museum. |
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As part of our West of Ninth: Race, Reckoning, and Reconciliation exhibition, we wanted to go west and explore, taking time to visit local restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries. Each month, we showcase a place our staff members have visited. We hope you will visit, too! |
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Welcome back, Louisville foodies!
We’ve almost reached one full year since the opening of our West of Ninth exhibition, which means one full year of writing West of Ninth Eats! Woohoo!
This installment, I will be reflecting on my lovely visit to Sweet Peaches at the corner of Eighteenth Street and West Muhammad Ali Boulevard in the Russell neighborhood.
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Window of Sweet Peaches, August 11, 2022. Credit: Shelby Durbin. |
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Mural outside Sweet Peaches, August 11, 2022. Credit: Shelby Durbin. |
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Sweet Peaches is a restaurant and bakery, famous for cooking up delicious soul food for the whole family. They have a nice variety of food on both their breakfast and lunch menus, offering several options for vegetarians (like yours truly). Sandwiches, salads, and pizzas abound!
During my visit, I ordered “The Frenchie,” a French toast platter with your choice of sides. (Team breakfast for lunch!) I’m already a fan of French toast, but I can honestly say: it was one of the best I’ve had in a long time!
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In addition to the fantastic menus, Sweet Peaches also recently underwent a makeover! Last summer, Sweet Peaches reopened with a new look after owner Pamela Haines completed the RTBI (Russell Technology Business Incubator) program. The program provides resources to Black and Latino-owned businesses in the area. For more information about the program, check out this article WDRB published following last year’s reopening.
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Interior of Sweet Peaches, August 11, 2022. Credit: Shelby Durbin. |
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Sweet Peaches also made headlines back in 2020 when owner Pamela Haines announced the restaurant would be offering free soup to community members in response to the challenges of COVID-19. Although many businesses (including Sweet Peaches) were being affected, Haines wanted to help in any way she could—and she certainly did. For more information about her efforts during the start of the pandemic, read this WHAS article.
During my visit, I had a chance to chat with Pamela Haines about her hopes for the future of the business. She envisions a space where people can come inside and learn important life skills ranging from mathematics to conflict resolution, all through a culinary lens.
I’d say: she is already well on her way there.
I could feel the heart of community as soon as I walked in the door.
The hours of operation are Wednesday–Friday, 12–5 p.m., and Sunday, 12–4 p.m.
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Shelby Durbin
Education & Engagement Specialist
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Sunday, August 28, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: “Coal in Kentucky” MORE INFO
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Tuesday, September 13, 4:45–7:45 p.m.: “Teacher Professional Development | The Journey: Exploring Local Connections to the Underground Railroad Through Inquiry” MORE INFO
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Tuesday, September 13, 6–7:30 p.m.: “Let’s Talk | Bridging the Divide: The Journey” SOLD OUT
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Friday, September 30: “2022 Owsley Brown Frazier Classic Sporting Clay Tournament” MORE INFO
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Remember to RSVP to Our Summer Book Club! |
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Summer Book Club discussions are eligible events for our ALL Member Exclusive Program: Frazier Frequent Flight. Be sure to become a member today so you can be one step closer to receiving free Frazier merchandise!
Join us on August 28 at 2 p.m. for our final book of the program. We will be discussing Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn.
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Graphic for the Frazier’s Summer Book Club. Credit: Frazier History Museum. |
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During the Discussion: We will be announcing the door prize winners of a Gift Individual and Family membership as well as four Museum Parking Passes.
Post Discussion: Enjoy a presentation on Coal in Kentucky by a mining and engineering expert.
Take this opportunity to dive into a good book!
Book Club Member Perks for each of our Summer Titles:
- ALL members are welcome to participate in this program.
- Enjoy your annual museum member benefit of 10% off in the Museum Store when you purchase the book(s)*.
- Members and (1) guest may be included in your RSVP**.
- A door prize entry (pulled at the final discussion of the Summer Book Club program.)
*All book selections are available to purchase through the Museum Store. The Book Woman's Daughter is currently sold out but can be found at Carmichael’s Bookstore. Mention Frazier Book Club to receive the book club discount on this title.
**The same guest cannot attend more than one book discussion.
Find more information about our Summer Book Club here.
Want to join our book club but not a member? Become a member today! As little as $20 will allow you access to our Summer Book Club and other member exclusive events throughout the year!* Did I mention that for the $20 Individual membership you would also get year-round access to the museum, a 10% discount in the museum store**, and discounted parking!?
*Not all member exclusive invitations apply to the Individual and Family membership levels.
**Exclusions apply.
Come experience more!
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Amanda Egan
Membership & Database Administrator
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Hours of Operation: Museum and Museum Store |
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Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 12–5 p.m.
Note: Hours are subject to change. Check our Facebook page for the most up-to-date hours.
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We want to assure you the Frazier is taking every measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our 100,000-square-foot building has three floors of spacious galleries in which to physically distance. We are following all recommendations put forth by the CDC as well as the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Department to ensure a safe environment for our staff and guests.
- Masks are recommended for all Frazier guests and staff, but optional.
- Surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons are sanitized on a fixed schedule.
- Hand sanitizer is available in key locations throughout the museum.
We greatly appreciate your compliance with these measures to ensure all our visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit!
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Although the doors of the museum aren't always open, we are here to continue being a resource for your family and our community.
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Funding for Frazier Weekly and the Coronavirus Capsule has been provided by Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan of 2020. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Kentucky Humanities.
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