Happy Monday morning, y’all!

`Tis the season to be jolly, and what a great week we have ahead! The holiday season is officially upon us, and we’re all set to embrace the festive cheer. As the aroma of Thanksgiving family feasts fills the air, we’re excited to kick off the Christmas shopping season. We hope to become one of your stops either in person or virtually on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

At the Frazier Museum Shop, we’ve curated a unique selection of gifts that celebrate the spirit of Kentucky and Bourbon. If you’re looking for the perfect present for a loved one or a treat for yourself, look no further—check out our online shop for an array of charming options that embody the heart of the Bluegrass State and enjoy free shipping on purchases $50 and above.

Be prepared for holiday hosting with a dose of humor and a dash of Bourbon-inspired charm! Our witty cocktail napkins will elevate your festivities and these Bourbon bottle ornaments will infuse your holiday decor with a touch of Kentucky’s native spirit. Whether you’re planning a lively cocktail soiree or simply want to add a Kentucky twist to your holiday ambiance, these items are must-haves for a memorable and festive holiday season.

But wait, there’s more! This weekend, why not gather your family and join us in person at the museum? You’ll be treated to a visual feast with three floors of beautifully decorated trees with Lights on Main, sponsored by local schools, businesses, families, and individuals. As you explore, don’t forget to stop by our shop to find that ideal holiday gift. Finally, you can purchase tickets now for the Friday, December 1, Lights on Main Opening Party!

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the holiday season.

Let the festivities begin!

This Week in the Museum

A Thanksgiving Message from President and CEO Andy Treinen

Like most folks on this week of Thanksgiving, I am incredibly grateful for my family (I am so blessed), my friends, my coworkers, and my undeniably fortunate placement on this planet.

You don’t have to look hard or far to find struggle in this world and conflict is growing at an alarming rate. I am keenly aware of heartbreak and witness competition for the truth every day. So, my attitude of gratitude doesn’t come from glasses in the shade of rose. I am a genuinely idealistic and optimistic person who can find something positive in every person and nearly any situation.

It is the next generation that optimizes my outlook and eases my anxiety about the matters of the day. In that generation, I see a group of young people who are more accepting, more generous, more value- driven, and more aware of our planet than any before. They are incredibly intelligent and positively passionate, and I believe they will solve many of the problems that my generation has created.

It is with heartfelt appreciation that I also extend my deepest gratitude to the readers of this newsletter, the supporters of the museum, and the people who come to the Frazier as either members or admissions.

Your unwavering commitment breathes life into the cultural tapestry we weave, making each exhibition a testament to the shared love for culture, history, and the enriching power of collective passion.

Thank you.

From the Collections: Thanksgiving Postcard, c. 1908

As we all prepare to gather around the table and spend time with our friends and family, we wanted look at a piece from our collection that celebrates the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is a holiday that has been celebrated on this continent since 1621. However, it wasn’t until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national holiday, that Thanksgiving became celebrated nationwide every year. With the coming holidays, many of our readers look forward to letters, greeting cards, and postcards from those loved ones we might not see in person but who want to send their celebratory cheer.

Thanksgiving postcard sent in 1908. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

From the collection, we have pulled one such postcard. This postcard was sent to a Mrs. ER. Schalek in 1908 by her friend Sadie. The image is full of cheer with its brightly colored turkey and gold lettering. Just a reminder that we have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving, Frazier Weekly readers!

Frazier Curator of Guest Experience Mick Sullivan Wins ROSE Award

What a fun night at the ROSE Awards! The Louisville Tourism Annual Gala & ROSE Awards recognizes excellence within the hospitality industry. We were fortunate enough to have both Mick Sullivan and Katie Lowe as finalists: Mick in the Attractions category and Katie in the Events category. Mick is curator of guest experience here at the Frazier and Katie Lowe is one of our event coordinators. Katie dazzled in her gold dress! Mick took home the ROSE Award, and we were so pleased his wife Sarah got to share in the celebration. Mick is known at the Frazier for bringing tours to life with his knowledge and love of everything Kentucky and its history. If you’ve been on one of his tours, I guarantee you remember it. “It’s great that the Frazier has solidified its place in the cultural landscape of our city and state,” Mick says of his win—“and I’m proud to be part of it.” Our team makes us proud every day!

Hayley Harlow Rankin on Ways to Support Frazier Weekly

Hi, Frazier Weekly readers! I just wanted to take a moment simply to say thank you!

We are grateful for your dedicated readership and your support of our mission to ignite the human spirit with thoughtfully crafted stories. Every Monday, we have the privilege of sharing with you amazing content all about Kentucky!

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share with you a couple ways to give back:

Make a small donation via Venmo! Find us @fraziermuseum.
Choose the Frazier History Museum in your Kroger Rewards! Search Frazier History Museum or KR087 in the Community Rewards section of your Kroger app.
Save the Date for Giving Tuesday, November 28! Join in the Global Day of Giving.

Whether you choose to contribute your resources, we appreciate your time as a subscriber to Frazier Weekly. We thank you!

We at the Frazier History Museum hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Kentucky Rivalries: UK, U of L Face off in Governor’s Cup

The annual gridiron grudge match for the Governor’s Cup between UK and U of L will take place this Saturday, November 25, in Louisville. The last time I wrote about this rivalry in Frazier Weekly, there were lingering questions about how the schools would fare this year. Some of those questions have been answered; some have not.

First, we’ll start out with the home team: the Louisville Cardinals. Projected in the preseason to finish eighth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Jeff Brohm’s squad has played above expectations. By the time this article is published, the Cards will have finish either in third place in the ACC standings or at best in second place.

If the Cards finish in second place, then they will face the regular season ACC Champion Florida State Seminoles in the ACC Championship Game on December 2. The winner of that contest will go bowling on New Year’s Day. Such an outcome seemed unlikely for first year head coach Jeff Brohm and the Cards. But with a bruising running game led by Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerendo and a sack-hungry defensive front anchored by defensive end Ashton Gillotte, the Cards have defied the odds.

However, across the line of scrimmage, Mark Stoops’s Kentucky Wildcats have performed below expectations in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Though the Cats avenged last season’s loss to Vanderbilt this year, they let a winnable game slip away with a loss to Tennessee and suffered humiliating defeats at the hands of perennial SEC titans Alabama and Georgia. So, with a record of six to seven wins, the Wildcats should come into L & N Federal Credit Union Stadium Saturday fired up and highly motivated to become spoilers of Louisville’s New Year’s Day plans.

Speaking of rivalries: our temporary exhibition Kentucky Rivalries closes Monday, December 4. Be sure to come visit while it’s still open!

Enter Drawing for Rarest Old Forester Bottle at Spirited Design Opening Party

*Spirited Design* Opening Party graphic. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Come join us on Wednesday, November 29, for the opening celebration of our newest exhibition Spirited Design: Old-Forester Mid-Century Decanters! We will open the Frazier’s doors for an after-hours event to explore the exhibition, meet the staff who created it, and enjoy food and drinks!

Attending this party gives you a unique opportunity to enter a drawing to purchase the rarest bottle Old Forester has ever released! You must be present to win and purchase. These decanters are a hot commodity: last week, Old Forester released a limited number of them, with a newly designed gift box, to the public via drawing for $2,500 each. They sold out in fourteen minutes! So don’t miss your chance to get one Wednesday.

Doors open at 6:15. Get your tickets to attend this amazing event!

Cozy Up with Milk Stout and Cocoa Porter at Holiday Cheer: Bourbon and Beer

We’re ringing in the holidays with a Frazier Single Barrel of Town Branch Bourbon (a perfect gift) along with the newly released Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Cocoa Porter. It’s a seasonal celebration with Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company, the only brewery-distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. Discover the artistry and craftsmanship behind each of these exceptional spirits as we explore the intricate process of aging and distilling and the important role a barrel plays. The tasting lineup includes Town Branch Frazier Single Barrel Bourbon, Town Branch Small Batch Bourbon, Town Branch Single Malt Whiskey, Ha’Penny Irish Whiskey, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Cocoa Porter, and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Imperial Milk Stout.

Join us as we toast the season. To winter!

Join Us January 14 for Kentucky Quilts and Quiltmakers

I am so excited about an upcoming program that I want to give you plenty of advance notice to get it on your calendars and purchase tickets! Linda LaPinta has written a new book titled Kentucky Quilts and Quiltmakers. She will be joining us for a program along with quilt artists “Sunshine Joe” Mallard and MJ Kinman. I have had the good fortune of interviewing both artists, and their work is just astounding. The program is Sunday, January 14, 2 p.m., here at the Frazier. General admission to the museum gets you into the program, but purchasing your ticket now gets you on our reserved list. The Frazier Book Club will also be reading the book; if you’d like to learn more about that, please email membership manager Amanda Egan at aegan@fraziermuseum.org. There will be more to come on this program in the upcoming weeks.

Rachel Platt
VP of Mission

Gift a Frazier Museum Tiny Tour & Tasting for the Holidays!

Are you looking for the perfect holiday gift for that Bourbon lover in your life? How about an interactive guided tour of the Spirit of Kentucky® Bourbon exhibition that culminates in our Speakeasy with yours truly leading your group through a Bourbon tasting? My Tiny Tours program offers just such an experience for groups with a minimum of eight folks. This is a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit while learning firsthand what makes Bourbon such a huge part of Kentucky culture and heritage. Tiny Tours can be booked for as little as $25 per person and are a fantastic way to either get into the holiday spirit or take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I would love to host you and your group for a Tiny Tour & Tasting! Please visit our Sippin’ with Stephen web page for more information or to book your group.

Happy holidays. I hope to be sippin’ with you soon!

New Member November: Southern Living Features Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company

New Member November has been underway, and although the Frazier specialty pies are no longer available, new members during the remainder of the month will still receive a free three-inch pie when they visit Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company at 1559 Bardstown Road!

Georgia’s graphic. Credit: Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company.

Georgia’s staff members hold up the November 2023 issue of *Southern Living*, which features an article on the company, November 2023. Credit: Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company.

Did you know this amazing partner was just featured in this month’s issue of Southern Living magazine?

Southern Living recently featured Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company and their mission to support children by providing them with free books. “We are so grateful for this recognition,” Georgia’s responded—“and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our customers who have supported us along the way.”

Georgia’s Sweet Potato Pie Company is a mission-driven company that is dedicated to providing homemade, delicious sweet potato pies to our community.

You don’t want to miss out on this free pie. I bought many goodies when I was there and loved every single one! Don’t take my word for it—listen to our fellow members! Some of the members I spoke with after receiving their pies said that Georgia’s makes the best pie they have ever tasted!

Experience Georgia’s pies for yourself! Give yourself a treat and become a member or renew today!

Bridging the Divide

National Parks Service Recognizes Louisville Freedom Seekers James Madison and Kitty Smith

I recently brought you the story of my recent trip to Canada to learn more about the freedom seekers Thornton and Lucie Blackburn. The Blackburns were enslaved in Louisville but eventually found freedom in Canada and helped others who came after them. Ned Berghausen, who is a Deacon at St. Agnes, a theology teacher at Assumption High School, and a member of the Frazier Teacher Advisory Board, has shared with us the names of another couple who deserve our attention. Two Black Louisvillians, James Madison Smith (1789–1884) and Catherine “Kitty” Smith (1815–1900), were recently recognized by the National Parks Service Network to Freedom program as agents on the Underground Railroad. They are only the second couple from Louisville, after Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, to be honored this way. Their story was recently published by the local Catholic newspaper, The Record. Read the article to learn more about James Madison and Kitty Smith and why you should know their names.

Rachel Platt
VP of Mission

Holiday Shopping, UK-U of L Football Rivalry, Spirited Design Exhibition Opening Party, and More

Friday Night Lights on Main, Cyber Monday, Kentucky Rivalries Closing, and More

Free Play, Southeastern Museums Conference in Louisville, Lights on Main Opening Party, and More