Filson Historical Society

Outstanding research facility. Super friendly and helpful staff. My short visit in 2024 was exceptionally productive. A couple comments about logistics:- There is a small parking area within the complex. There is also a larger surface parking lot kitty-cornered to the site that I found first. There was a small yard-style sign in the parkway identifying it as such. Both lots are free.- Easy and uncomplicated to find. Light traffic. Relatively uncrowded.- If you are interested in the tour arrange ahead.- They have specific rules and regulations to follow to protect the collection. Read and observe them.- There is a lovely sandwich shop around the corner. Reminds me of the places from college. Excellent food but limited menu. - Near other attractions in downtown Louisville. SAR library, distillery tours and the Louisville Slugger factory (expensive tour).

The Filson is a Louisville treasure!Some things I love about it:* It's located in such a beautiful, large, stately Victorian home in Old Louisville. It just oozes historical charm. * It includes rotating exhibits as well as items that are always on display, most of which touch on the history of Louisville or Kentucky.* If you're interested in genealogy, definitely check it out. Its researchers have the resources and expertise to help you research your or other families. * It hosts regular events with authors and history experts. * It recently unveiled its new expansion, which includes beautiful event space. I heard somewhere that the wood slats are arranged in a way to represent the waves of the Ohio River. They also reminded me of bourbon barrel staves -- applicable as well. I got to attend the recent Creative Mornings event at the Filson, and while I was there I also admired the old Kentucky-themed music posters framed and on the walls. Since the Filson has been around for so long, I feel like it's easy to take it for granted. If you get the chance, definitely pay a visit!

We took the free one hour Filson Historical SocietyTour last week and were thoroughly impressed. A reservation is recommended by not required. We did have a reservation luckily since the docent for Wednesday was not available that day. But since we had the reservation Jim, a staff member who has been with the Society since 1982 was able to give us the tour. What a treat. This man was a wealth of information on everything from the History of the Filson to the individual paintings on the walls of the mansion. The Society moved into it's current location a few years ago. The Mansion was orginally built by a man named Ferguson who was a cotton seed oil producer. After financail difficulties in the early 1920's he sold the mansion to the Pearons who converted it into a funeral home while the family lived in the upstairs. The history of the building is fascinating. The Society has done revonvations and additions to the building which are beautiful and unique. Lots of woodworking that in so intricate and the only work of it's kind since it was designed specifically for this location. This tour is so worth taking. Just fasinating to see the 100 year old mansion and the additions to it. They have ample parking on site and located in Old Louisville. The Society exsits to preserve the history of Louisville and does it in an extraordinary manner. I highly recommend. Thanks to Jim for the excellent tour and all your years of knowledge.

Wonderful way to learn about the history of Louisville and the Ohio River Valley. Great collection of furniture and art that illustrates life at the end of the 19th Century.

If you are someone that likes cool buildings, history, and art and all of these things then this is a cool place to check out. They offer a wide variety of things that would appease you. The structure itself is a nice older looking building with alot of good photo opps and history.

I just attended and played music at a wedding here. The space is beautiful, they always have attendants to monitor the spaces and assist others. Parking was convenient. I am a professional musician and have played many venues. This stands out in beauty and in the professional and friendly staff.

If you appreciate history, art, or architecture then do yourself a favor and make this a must see stop.I was privy to a private bourbon tasting with a large group and loved not only the experience itself, but the education I received on bourbon itself. The staff on hand was courteous and very friendly.This place is amazing! Come see it for yourself.

Beautiful mansion with a lot of very interesting history. German Opera, Irish servants, padded walls....all that and more and we had an abbreviated tour.