Back to All Events

Louisville to Liberty: The Blackburns’ Journey Exhibition Opening

  • Frazier Kentucky History Museum 829 West Main Street Louisville, KY, 40202 United States (map)

Louisville to Liberty: The Blackburns’ Journey Exhibition Opening

April 25, 2026-July 4, 2027, 2027 - Museum Tickets

About the Exhibition

In the afternoon of July 3, 1831, Thornton and Lucie Blackburn made a daring escape from their enslavers in Louisville, Kentucky, eventually making it to Toronto, Canada. Their story was nearly forgotten until archaeologists discovered their home while working in a school yard. Site director Dr. Karolyn Smardz Frost spent more than 20 years piecing together Thornton and Lucie’s story. From her research, Dr. Smardz Frost wrote I’ve Got a Home in Glory Land: A Lost Tale of the Underground Railroad. It is the first birth to death biography of a freedom-seeking couple published since the Civil War.

In Louisville to Liberty: The Blackburns’ Journey, visitors will learn more about Thornton and Lucie Blackburn and their journey to freedom. For the first time ever displayed in the United States, the exhibition will include objects belonging to Thornton and Lucie that were uncovered in the archaeological excavation. It was necessary for Thornton and Lucie to leave Louisville to escape bondage. Louisville to Liberty: The Blackburns' Journey welcomes their story back to Kentucky.

Featured
Frazier250: What was the Last Native American Village in Kentucky?
Oct 18
Frazier250: What was the Last Native American Village in Kentucky?

What was the last native American village in Kentucky? Where was it, who lived there, and how did they live? Join the Frazier’s Simon Meiners in a conversation with archaeologist A. Gwynn Henderson about the last Native American settlement in what is now Kentucky. As the Frazier marks 250 years since 1776—the year America declared its independence—we shine a light on the Native American presence in Kentucky leading up to that time. The late 18th century saw not only the arrival of Euroamerican settlers like Thomas Walker, James Harrod, and Daniel Boone in Kentucky—it also saw the abandonment of Kentucky’s last remaining Native American villages as distinct communities.

Dr. Henderson is the Education Director at the Kentucky Archaeological Survey. She has carried out field research in Kentucky, the Ohio Valley, Tennessee, and Mexico, and she is particularly interested in researching the lifeways of the ancient Native farming cultures of the middle Ohio Valley and the history of mid-18th century Indigenous groups in the same region. She will explore what the material evidence suggests about Lower Shawnee Town (Greenup County) and more.

Read more →
Frazier250: Top 10 Kentuckians
Oct 21
Frazier250: Top 10 Kentuckians

Who would make your top 10 list of Kentuckians with the greatest impact? Simply put, who would make your Mt. Rushmore of Kentuckians?

Join us Wednesday, October 21, with your list of names as we debate who makes the cut.

We’ve invited five special guests to represent certain categories to get the conversation started with their top five choices. You get to help fill in the rest during a lively discussion.

The categories and featured panelists are:

· History with Historian Tom Owen

· Law with Judge Denise Clayton

· Music with ear X-tacy Founder John Timmons

· Literature with Best-selling Author Kim Michele Richardson

· Sports with WDRB Sports Journalist Eric Crawford

Expert colleagues from the Frazier will suggest names, too. Some names are represented in our museum’s Cool Kentucky and I Too Am a Kentuckian exhibitions.

Get your picks ready and let the debate begin!

Read more →
Bourbon Through Bluegrass
Oct 22
Bourbon Through Bluegrass

Step into the heart of Kentucky with Bourbon Through Bluegrass—an immersive experience where the rich heritage of Bourbon meets the soul-stirring sounds of Kentucky & Bluegrass Music.

Read more →
Bourbon Through Bluegrass
Oct 29
Bourbon Through Bluegrass

Step into the heart of Kentucky with Bourbon Through Bluegrass—an immersive experience where the rich heritage of Bourbon meets the soul-stirring sounds of Kentucky & Bluegrass Music.

Read more →
Michter's Spookeasy
Oct 29
Michter's Spookeasy

Put on your best glad rags, hop on your broomstick, and head to the Frazier History Museum for the first ever Michter’s Spookeasy! This year’s Hotsy-Totsy is Halloween themed, featuring Michter’s tastings paired with novelty candy, fortune-telling, a haunted scavenger hunt, and so much more. Witches’ Magic Libations come with every ticket along with live music, ghost stories featuring real Kentucky folklore, and a best dressed contest judged by Caufield’s Novelty & Costumes. From zombie flappers to ghostly villains, this is the one Speakeasy you don’t want to miss, all thanks to our good friends at Michter’s. Live a little, come have a taste!

Read more →
Election Day Pop-Up Camp
Nov 2
Election Day Pop-Up Camp

Join us for an exciting 2-day pop-up camp this election cycle at the Frazier Kentucky History Museum. In the spirit of the day and America250, your camper will travel back in time to explore some wild and unforgettable elections and even step into the shoes of a candidate as they host their own campaign—about candy! Limited spots are available for this special edition camp adventure, so vote yes to Frazier pop-up camps and sign your camper up now!

Read more →
35th Anniversary of the Affrilachian Poets with Frank X Walker
Nov 6
35th Anniversary of the Affrilachian Poets with Frank X Walker
Read more →
Saluting Commander Billie Farrell
Nov 8
Saluting Commander Billie Farrell
Read more →
Previous
April 24

Uniquely KY Homeschool Day

Next
April 30

Cool Kentucky at Thurby