The Filson Historical Society facts for kids
The Ferguson Mansion, home of the Filson Historical Society in Old Louisville
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| Former name | The Filson Club |
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| Established | 1884 |
| Location | 1310 South 3rd Street Louisville, Kentucky 40208 |
| Type | History museum |
| Founder |
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| Public transit access | TARC |
The Filson Historical Society, once known as The Filson Club, is a special place in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a history museum that teaches adults about the past. It was started in 1884. The Filson helps people learn through a history journal, a magazine, talks, tours, and exhibits.
What the Filson Does
The Filson's main goal is to find, save, and share stories about Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. They have many programs and exhibits that look closely at history.
- They celebrate important days like Juneteenth.
- They host talks by famous authors and historians. These talks cover topics like the life of Frederick Douglass.
- They discuss books about Native Americans, settlers, and enslaved people.
- They also explore the history of Black freedom.
- Sometimes, they have presentations about understanding the history of slavery in Kentucky.
The Filson also offers different events:
- The Gertrude Polk Brown lecture series brings in popular authors.
- The Notable Louisville Neighborhoods series helps people connect with local history.
- They hold workshops to teach you how to save your family's history. You can learn how to research your old home or care for photos.
- They host concerts with local artists.
- Authors and historians share stories about the Ohio River valley.
Filson's History
The Filson Club began on May 15, 1884. Ten men who loved history started it. Reuben T. Durrett was the main founder and first president. The club was named after John Filson, who wrote Kentucky's first English history book. He also made a map of Kentucky in 1784.
From 1884 to 1913, members met at Reuben Durrett's home in Louisville. He had a huge collection of historical items there.
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In 1913, much of Durrett's collection was sold to the University of Chicago. This happened because Louisville did not have a fireproof place to store old documents. Some of the Filson Club's items were part of Durrett's collection, so they left Kentucky.
The items that stayed were moved to the library of Rogers Clark Ballard Thruston. He was the Filson Vice President. His library was in the Columbia Building in Louisville. The collections stayed there until 1929.
Thruston and other members knew they needed their own building. They raised money in 1926. They bought a property, fixed it up, and made it fireproof.
In June 1929, the Filson's items and Mr. Thruston's collection moved to their new home. This was at 118 West Breckinridge Street. An architect named E. T. Hutchings changed two houses into one large building. This new building held the Filson's archives, library, museum, and offices.
As time went on, the Filson needed more space. Their collection and staff grew. They also wanted more room for programs. In 1984, they bought the Edwin Hite Ferguson Mansion. This was the Filson's 100th birthday! They started fixing up the mansion and adding new parts.
The building work finished in 1985. They added six levels of storage that kept items at the right temperature. In the summer of 1986, the Filson moved all its collections and staff. The mansion became offices and library storage. A smaller building, called a carriage house, was used for more storage and displays.
The Ferguson Mansion has been the Filson's main building since 1986. It was built in 1905 and is a beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture. It was first built for a businessman named Edwin Hite Ferguson. The Filson bought the mansion in 1984.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, the collections and staff kept growing. The Filson changed its name from "Club" to "Historical Society." This showed its new focus on serious historical research.
In 2002, they planned to expand again. They bought another building nearby. A big expansion started in the 2010s. They renovated the Ferguson Mansion and built the Owsley Brown II History Center. This new center has exhibit galleries, bigger reading rooms, and space for events.
The Filson opened its updated campus and the new Owsley Brown II History Center in October 2016.
In 2017, the Filson started a project to collect and study the history of Jewish life in Louisville. They created the Jewish Community Archive.
In 2020, the Filson shared historical information about racial fairness in Louisville. They also spoke out against racism.
Filson and Oxmoor Farm
The Filson Historical Society has a special connection with the Bullitt family and Oxmoor Farm. Oxmoor Farm is a historic place in eastern Jefferson County. The main part of the Oxmoor mansion was built in 1791. The Bullitt family owned it for six generations.
The Filson does not own the mansion or its land. However, the Filson's president is part of a committee that helps care for Oxmoor Farm. This committee makes sure the mansion and farm are looked after.
The Filson also received money from the Bullitt family. This money helps the Filson create programs and research projects. These projects focus on history and education. The Bullitt family also gave the Filson their family papers. These papers tell the story of life at Oxmoor for over 200 years. The Filson now holds annual events at Oxmoor.
Filson's Collections
The Filson Historical Society has a huge collection of historical items. It includes:
- About 2.1 million documents, photos, and prints.
- 50,000 books.
- 10,000 museum items.
- 400 portraits.
The Filson started collecting history items soon after it began in 1884. At that time, few other places in Kentucky were doing this. Many early members came from old and important Kentucky families. This helped the Filson gather many original letters, diaries, and business records. Its collections from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s are the best in Kentucky.
The collection mainly focuses on Kentucky, the Ohio Valley, and the Upland South. But it also has items from across the country and even the world. Researchers from all over visit each year.
The Filson's unique items are very important for historians. They help study topics like:
- The early frontier (wild lands) west of the Appalachian Mountains.
- The Lewis & Clark Expedition.
- Slavery and freedom before the Civil War.
- Southern Jewish history.
- Local architecture (building design).
- City improvements in the early 1900s.
- Women's right to vote.
- Local theater, music, and literature.
- River and train transportation.
- Military history from the 1700s to the 1900s.
Besides old papers and rare books, the Filson has an important museum collection. This includes early Kentucky portraits, art from Ohio Valley artists, and historical clothing.
The Filson's website lists many of its collections. You can find guides, a searchable database of papers, and digital photos. The Ohio Valley History journal often writes about new items in the collection.
Since 2001, the Filson has helped historians with a special program. This program has given money to over 250 scholars. These scholars come from universities all over the world to study at the Filson.
See also
