An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Frazier History Museum in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, documents and reinterprets history through exhibits, artifacts and live daily interpretations by staff and teaching artists.
Credit: Frazier History Museum
“Educational programming lives at the center of the Frazier’s mission to ‘ignite the human spirit with thoughtfully crafted stories to spark curiosity about who we are and our connection to the future,’” said Rachel Platt, director of community engagement.
“Intentionally designed to align with state standards, the Frazier Museum’s educational programming provides active, hands-on learning for students of all grade levels. Whether handling reproduction artifacts in our museum classroom, utilizing custom-designed gallery investigation guides in the museum galleries, or chatting with an actor after a live performance, students are activity engaged throughout their visit.”
In “The Lewis and Clark Experience” exhibit, students are immersed in an educational adventure that puts them face-to-face with some of the challenges encountered by the Corps of Discovery. Groups can see a 55-foot cutaway replica of Lewis and Clark’s keelboat, a replica Sioux Tipi and a Mandan earthen hut.
The Stewart Historic Miniatures Collection is a popular stop in the museum. The collection was made possible by a generous donation from Charles Stewart, whose love of toy soldiers began as a boy and continues today with a collection of over 30,000 world-class figures representing 180 historic makers.
Credit: Frazier History Museum
“Students are just enthralled with the Frazier’s Stewart Historic Miniatures Collection — one of the largest collections of historic miniatures on permanent public display in the world — as well as ‘The Lewis and Clark Experience’ exhibit,” Platt said. “The Frazier Museum offers programs aligned to the founding of America, frontier Kentucky, Kentucky connections to the Whiskey Rebellion, local connections to the underground railroad, Kentucky connections to the American Civil War, the works of Edgar Allan Poe performed live, Louisville history and geography, women’s suffrage, and the rich and storied history of Kentucky agriculture.”
Platt suggests booking visits at least three weeks in advance, via the website.
For more information, call 502-753-5664 or visit fraziermuseum.org.
