Tours and Experiences

Tour01 Frankfort Research Day at the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives and the Kentucky Historical Society (Full Day; Departs 7:30 a.m.)

Photos of the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky State ArchivesTravel to the State Capital of Kentucky and research at The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) and the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS). The group will be split in two; half spending the morning at each location. There will then be a luncheon at KHS with a presentation on a topic to be determined. Following Lunch, the groups will exchange locations and spend the afternoon at the other facility.

At KHS, attendees will receive a special overview of KHS library and archival collections before they begin their research journey in KHS’s Martin F. Schmidt Research Library. Staff from our library and archives will be on hand to provide specialized research support for attendees.

At KDLA, attendees are invited to briefly part from their research to join a tour which will feature a behind the scenes peek into the third floor of KDLA where all original archival records are stored. An assortment of the State Archives most unique materials will be displayed and discussed. Those that participate will have a new perspective on the scale of our archival holdings and appreciation for the work committed to their preservation and access.

The price includes bus transportation, admission to both facilities, and lunch.

Tour02 The Filson Historical Society (Half Day; Departs 8:30 a.m.)

The Filson Historical Society, founded in 1884, is a privately supported historical society dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the significant history and culture of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. The Filson serves the public through extensive and historical collections of original manuscripts, letters, diaries, photographs, architectural records, rare imprints, books, maps, newspapers, textiles, portraits, and other three-dimensional items. Get a behind-the-scenes tour of “the Filson” including the historic Ferguson Mansion and Wood Carriage House, and the 2016 addition to the campus, the Owsley Brown II History Center.

The price includes bus transportation and admission to the Filson Historical Society.

Tour03 Style Spotting: Old Louisville Walking Tour (Morning and Afternoon options)

Balustrades, corbeling, cornices—there’s a lot to see in the third-largest historic district in the country! Join us as we admire the historic styles of Old Louisville and learn the names of different architectural elements on this 1.2-mile stroll. Points of interest include the Fredrick Law Olmstead-designed Central Park, the Conrad Caldwell House, the Landward House, and for urban folklorists—the Witch’s Tree.

The price includes bus transportation to the Filson Historical Society, where the tour departs. We are offering a morning and an afternoon walking tour.