The Filson Historical Society
@filsonhistorical.bsky.social
Collecting, preserving, and sharing Kentucky and Ohio Valley history since 1884. #YourFilson
https://linktr.ee/filsonhistoricalsociety
https://linktr.ee/filsonhistoricalsociety
Thanks to everyone who came out last night to the Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture. Last night we examined the legacy of Cassius Marcellus Clay. His contradictory story helps us understand the complex, often uncomfortable realities of antislavery politics in 19th-century America.
#CassiusMarcellusClay
#CassiusMarcellusClay
December 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Thanks to everyone who came out last night to the Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture. Last night we examined the legacy of Cassius Marcellus Clay. His contradictory story helps us understand the complex, often uncomfortable realities of antislavery politics in 19th-century America.
#CassiusMarcellusClay
#CassiusMarcellusClay
The Filson will be closed today due to inclement weather. The event hosted by GLI has also been postponed. Stay safe and warm!
For questions regarding Filson operations, please reach out to staff.
For questions regarding the GLI event, please contact: registration@greaterlouisville.com
For questions regarding Filson operations, please reach out to staff.
For questions regarding the GLI event, please contact: registration@greaterlouisville.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The Filson will be closed today due to inclement weather. The event hosted by GLI has also been postponed. Stay safe and warm!
For questions regarding Filson operations, please reach out to staff.
For questions regarding the GLI event, please contact: registration@greaterlouisville.com
For questions regarding Filson operations, please reach out to staff.
For questions regarding the GLI event, please contact: registration@greaterlouisville.com
Our Giving Tuesday promotion is now on!
Enjoy 10% off individual and family gift memberships for the history lover in your life. Promotion runs through 12/2.
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HistoryLover #GiftMembership #GiftOfHistory #HolidayGifts
Enjoy 10% off individual and family gift memberships for the history lover in your life. Promotion runs through 12/2.
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HistoryLover #GiftMembership #GiftOfHistory #HolidayGifts
November 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Our Giving Tuesday promotion is now on!
Enjoy 10% off individual and family gift memberships for the history lover in your life. Promotion runs through 12/2.
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HistoryLover #GiftMembership #GiftOfHistory #HolidayGifts
Enjoy 10% off individual and family gift memberships for the history lover in your life. Promotion runs through 12/2.
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HistoryLover #GiftMembership #GiftOfHistory #HolidayGifts
"Thanksgiving Dinner," used in the Courier Journal magazine on November 15, 1953. Photo by H. Harold Davis.
#Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingDinner #CourierJournal #VintageThanksgiving #HHaroldDavis
#Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingDinner #CourierJournal #VintageThanksgiving #HHaroldDavis
November 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"Thanksgiving Dinner," used in the Courier Journal magazine on November 15, 1953. Photo by H. Harold Davis.
#Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingDinner #CourierJournal #VintageThanksgiving #HHaroldDavis
#Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingDinner #CourierJournal #VintageThanksgiving #HHaroldDavis
Enjoy 10% off individual and family level gift memberships for the history lover in your life this Giving Tuesday. Promotion starts 11/28 and runs through 12/2.
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HolidayGifts
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HolidayGifts
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Enjoy 10% off individual and family level gift memberships for the history lover in your life this Giving Tuesday. Promotion starts 11/28 and runs through 12/2.
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HolidayGifts
https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E4471&id=10
#GivingTuesday #HolidayGifts
This week, the Filson hosted a panel discussion focused on the role of the Black family as a foundation of the Black experience, highlighting family structures, intergenerational bonds, and community growth.
#BlackHomecoming #BlackFamily #CommunityGrowth #BlackExperience
#BlackHomecoming #BlackFamily #CommunityGrowth #BlackExperience
November 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This week, the Filson hosted a panel discussion focused on the role of the Black family as a foundation of the Black experience, highlighting family structures, intergenerational bonds, and community growth.
#BlackHomecoming #BlackFamily #CommunityGrowth #BlackExperience
#BlackHomecoming #BlackFamily #CommunityGrowth #BlackExperience
Here are some wonderful dogs that visited our office last week. Consider your timeline #blessed
#PawsForPurpose #Dogs #TherapyDogs
#PawsForPurpose #Dogs #TherapyDogs
November 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Here are some wonderful dogs that visited our office last week. Consider your timeline #blessed
#PawsForPurpose #Dogs #TherapyDogs
#PawsForPurpose #Dogs #TherapyDogs
Last night, we featured the 2025 History Inspires Fellowship recipients: Lori Larusso, Moira Magre, and Sarah Pennington. Each artist shared how research in the Filson’s collections inspired their work.
#HistoryInspires #ArtAndHistory #KentuckyArtists #CreativeResearch
#HistoryInspires #ArtAndHistory #KentuckyArtists #CreativeResearch
November 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Last night, we featured the 2025 History Inspires Fellowship recipients: Lori Larusso, Moira Magre, and Sarah Pennington. Each artist shared how research in the Filson’s collections inspired their work.
#HistoryInspires #ArtAndHistory #KentuckyArtists #CreativeResearch
#HistoryInspires #ArtAndHistory #KentuckyArtists #CreativeResearch
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a discussion on the role of print in Native American communities. Myaamia artist Megan Sekulich and Mark Alan Mattes shared insights on how printmaking can preserve Indigenous history and culture.
#NativeAmericanArt #Printmaking #Myaamia #CommunityVoices
#NativeAmericanArt #Printmaking #Myaamia #CommunityVoices
November 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a discussion on the role of print in Native American communities. Myaamia artist Megan Sekulich and Mark Alan Mattes shared insights on how printmaking can preserve Indigenous history and culture.
#NativeAmericanArt #Printmaking #Myaamia #CommunityVoices
#NativeAmericanArt #Printmaking #Myaamia #CommunityVoices
The Filson is teaming up with the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society and Louisville Nimble Thimbles to document our quilt collection and share it nationwide.
#QuiltHistory #KentuckyQuilts #TextileHeritage
#QuiltHistory #KentuckyQuilts #TextileHeritage
November 7, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The Filson is teaming up with the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society and Louisville Nimble Thimbles to document our quilt collection and share it nationwide.
#QuiltHistory #KentuckyQuilts #TextileHeritage
#QuiltHistory #KentuckyQuilts #TextileHeritage
Discover the real Cassius Marcellus Clay, antislavery reformer, fighter, and slaveholder. Historian Anne E. Marshall reveals how Clay’s story reshapes our view of America’s struggle with freedom and hypocrisy.
#History #CassiusClay #Antislavery #CivilWar #BookTalk
#History #CassiusClay #Antislavery #CivilWar #BookTalk
November 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Discover the real Cassius Marcellus Clay, antislavery reformer, fighter, and slaveholder. Historian Anne E. Marshall reveals how Clay’s story reshapes our view of America’s struggle with freedom and hypocrisy.
#History #CassiusClay #Antislavery #CivilWar #BookTalk
#History #CassiusClay #Antislavery #CivilWar #BookTalk
Cutting the ribbon on our collaborative exhibition project between the Filson and the Trager Family JCC! The Filson is honored to collaborate on their new History Wall!
#CommunityCollaboration #JewishHeritage #TragerFamilyJCC #LocalHistory #CulturalHeritage
#CommunityCollaboration #JewishHeritage #TragerFamilyJCC #LocalHistory #CulturalHeritage
November 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Cutting the ribbon on our collaborative exhibition project between the Filson and the Trager Family JCC! The Filson is honored to collaborate on their new History Wall!
#CommunityCollaboration #JewishHeritage #TragerFamilyJCC #LocalHistory #CulturalHeritage
#CommunityCollaboration #JewishHeritage #TragerFamilyJCC #LocalHistory #CulturalHeritage
Earlier this month, we ventured out to Lower Howards Creek near Winchester, KY, to explore the fascinating history of dry stone fences. These fences, whose techniques date back to Scotland some 5000 years ago, are a staple of the central KY landscape.
#DryStone #KYHistory #CentralKY
#DryStone #KYHistory #CentralKY
October 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Earlier this month, we ventured out to Lower Howards Creek near Winchester, KY, to explore the fascinating history of dry stone fences. These fences, whose techniques date back to Scotland some 5000 years ago, are a staple of the central KY landscape.
#DryStone #KYHistory #CentralKY
#DryStone #KYHistory #CentralKY
#Belknap #FallFest starts today! The Belknap neighborhood is full of amazing history, historic homes, and landmark businesses. Join us in celebrating the history of #Louisville's historic neighborhoods!
October 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
#Belknap #FallFest starts today! The Belknap neighborhood is full of amazing history, historic homes, and landmark businesses. Join us in celebrating the history of #Louisville's historic neighborhoods!
The Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture Series has been the highlight of the Filson's programming since 1993. Join us on 12/4 for our final GPB of the year with Anne Marshall and a discussion on Cassius Marcellus Clay.
#GertrudePolkBrownLecture #LouisvilleEvents #LiteraryDiscussion #AuthorTalk
#GertrudePolkBrownLecture #LouisvilleEvents #LiteraryDiscussion #AuthorTalk
October 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The Gertrude Polk Brown Lecture Series has been the highlight of the Filson's programming since 1993. Join us on 12/4 for our final GPB of the year with Anne Marshall and a discussion on Cassius Marcellus Clay.
#GertrudePolkBrownLecture #LouisvilleEvents #LiteraryDiscussion #AuthorTalk
#GertrudePolkBrownLecture #LouisvilleEvents #LiteraryDiscussion #AuthorTalk
Modern America was shaped by the Red Scare of the mid-20th century. Last week, New York Times writer Clay Risen sat down with Filson President Patrick Lewis for a discussion on the Red Scare and it's impact on America in the second of three Gertrude Polk Brown lectures this year.
#RedScare
#RedScare
September 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Modern America was shaped by the Red Scare of the mid-20th century. Last week, New York Times writer Clay Risen sat down with Filson President Patrick Lewis for a discussion on the Red Scare and it's impact on America in the second of three Gertrude Polk Brown lectures this year.
#RedScare
#RedScare
The Filson was honored to welcome museum leaders, educators, and officials from 11 African nations as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program. We explored shared global challenges, including sustainability, inclusion, and ethical engagement.
#IVLP #GlobalExchange
#IVLP #GlobalExchange
August 5, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The Filson was honored to welcome museum leaders, educators, and officials from 11 African nations as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program. We explored shared global challenges, including sustainability, inclusion, and ethical engagement.
#IVLP #GlobalExchange
#IVLP #GlobalExchange
This Juneteenth, the Filson, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky, along with Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, are celebrating Juneteenth’s meaning as both a commemoration of emancipation and a call for compassion-driven change.
#Juneteenth #AliCenter
#Juneteenth #AliCenter
June 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
This Juneteenth, the Filson, the Muhammad Ali Center, and the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky, along with Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, are celebrating Juneteenth’s meaning as both a commemoration of emancipation and a call for compassion-driven change.
#Juneteenth #AliCenter
#Juneteenth #AliCenter
By winter 1777, Washington had narrowly avoided defeat. King George III faced rising costs and looming French and Spanish support for the rebels. Rick Atkinson explores this pivotal period in The Fate of the Day with Filson's Patrick Lewis.
#America250 #americanrevolution #revolutionarywar
#America250 #americanrevolution #revolutionarywar
June 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
By winter 1777, Washington had narrowly avoided defeat. King George III faced rising costs and looming French and Spanish support for the rebels. Rick Atkinson explores this pivotal period in The Fate of the Day with Filson's Patrick Lewis.
#America250 #americanrevolution #revolutionarywar
#America250 #americanrevolution #revolutionarywar
Celebrate Dad with a gift that honors the past and inspires the future—a gift membership to The Filson!
A Filson membership offers exclusive access to:
📚 Special exhibitions and archives
🎟️ Member-only events and lectures
📰 Award-winning publications
buff.ly/SlFnhLU
#FathersDay
A Filson membership offers exclusive access to:
📚 Special exhibitions and archives
🎟️ Member-only events and lectures
📰 Award-winning publications
buff.ly/SlFnhLU
#FathersDay
June 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Celebrate Dad with a gift that honors the past and inspires the future—a gift membership to The Filson!
A Filson membership offers exclusive access to:
📚 Special exhibitions and archives
🎟️ Member-only events and lectures
📰 Award-winning publications
buff.ly/SlFnhLU
#FathersDay
A Filson membership offers exclusive access to:
📚 Special exhibitions and archives
🎟️ Member-only events and lectures
📰 Award-winning publications
buff.ly/SlFnhLU
#FathersDay
National Bourbon Day is celebrated annually on June 14th. This year, we want to raise a glass to #ElmerLucilleAllen, who was the first African American chemist at Brown-Forman. Whiskey Row’s Official Bourbon Ambassador interviewed her, watch here: buff.ly/kgTgIOl
#NationalBourbonDay #bourbon #ky
#NationalBourbonDay #bourbon #ky
June 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
National Bourbon Day is celebrated annually on June 14th. This year, we want to raise a glass to #ElmerLucilleAllen, who was the first African American chemist at Brown-Forman. Whiskey Row’s Official Bourbon Ambassador interviewed her, watch here: buff.ly/kgTgIOl
#NationalBourbonDay #bourbon #ky
#NationalBourbonDay #bourbon #ky
June is designated Black Music Month, which celebrates African American contributions to the American soundtrack.
Jug band music is performed by musicians who perform with ordinary objects. Jug band music is often seen as a precursor to blues music.
#blackmusicmonth #jugbandmusic
Jug band music is performed by musicians who perform with ordinary objects. Jug band music is often seen as a precursor to blues music.
#blackmusicmonth #jugbandmusic
June 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
June is designated Black Music Month, which celebrates African American contributions to the American soundtrack.
Jug band music is performed by musicians who perform with ordinary objects. Jug band music is often seen as a precursor to blues music.
#blackmusicmonth #jugbandmusic
Jug band music is performed by musicians who perform with ordinary objects. Jug band music is often seen as a precursor to blues music.
#blackmusicmonth #jugbandmusic
Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 Celebrating Kentuckiana's LGBTQ+ history! The Filson is committed to sharing diverse stories of the past.
For more on the gay rights movement, see the following collection: buff.ly/H0KYSXw
#PrideMonth #LGBTQHistory
For more on the gay rights movement, see the following collection: buff.ly/H0KYSXw
#PrideMonth #LGBTQHistory
June 3, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 Celebrating Kentuckiana's LGBTQ+ history! The Filson is committed to sharing diverse stories of the past.
For more on the gay rights movement, see the following collection: buff.ly/H0KYSXw
#PrideMonth #LGBTQHistory
For more on the gay rights movement, see the following collection: buff.ly/H0KYSXw
#PrideMonth #LGBTQHistory
Today is Statehood Day! And we want to wish KY a very happy birthday. To learn more about Kentucky’s journey to statehood, check out the Filson’s First American West digital project here: buff.ly/18N6QGr
#KY #StatehoodDay
Photo courtesy of the Burdorf Family Photograph Collection (010PC42.110)
#KY #StatehoodDay
Photo courtesy of the Burdorf Family Photograph Collection (010PC42.110)
June 1, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Today is Statehood Day! And we want to wish KY a very happy birthday. To learn more about Kentucky’s journey to statehood, check out the Filson’s First American West digital project here: buff.ly/18N6QGr
#KY #StatehoodDay
Photo courtesy of the Burdorf Family Photograph Collection (010PC42.110)
#KY #StatehoodDay
Photo courtesy of the Burdorf Family Photograph Collection (010PC42.110)
Panoramic photograph of the Field Artillery Brigade Firing Center at Camp Knox. Headquarters Firing Center, 24th Field Artillery Brigade, 170th Field Artillery Brigade. 10,000 officers and men made up this picture spelling out "CAMP KNOX."
May 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Panoramic photograph of the Field Artillery Brigade Firing Center at Camp Knox. Headquarters Firing Center, 24th Field Artillery Brigade, 170th Field Artillery Brigade. 10,000 officers and men made up this picture spelling out "CAMP KNOX."