U of L Brass Ensembles, Breathitt County’s WWI Hero, World Series Home Run Hitter Will Smith, and More
Music is always good for the soul, which is why we’re inviting you to the Frazier History Museum this Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m.
The University of Louisville Brass Ensembles will perform and we can’t wait. Nothing connects us like music.
The concert will feature a dynamic lineup of student ensembles—the Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba-Euphonium, and Historic Brass Ensembles—showcasing a rich variety of styles from Renaissance to contemporary music.
The University of Louisville Brass Ensembles perform. Credit: Dr. Brett Shuster.
“Performing in venues like the Frazier Museum allows our students to connect directly with audiences outside the concert hall and demonstrate how versatile and expressive brass music can be,” said Dr. Brett Shuster, Professor of Trombone and director of the U of L Trombone Ensemble.
The performance is free and open to the public with museum admission.
The concert will be held in the Great Hall in our Cool Kentucky exhibition on the first floor.
We hope to see you here.
Also coming in Frazier Weekly, saluting our veterans, celebrating Hometown Hero and Dodgers Catcher Will Smith, it’s rivalry time on the hardwood, and some Louisville flavor for Christmas gifts.
Rachel Platt
VP of Mission
Frazier History Museum
This Week in the Museum
Highlights of 120: Breathitt County: World War I Hero Willie Sandlin
Map of Kentucky with Breathitt County highlighted.
Did you know only one county in the US required no men to be drafted during World War I? Breathitt County in Eastern Kentucky actually filled its quota of servicemen by volunteers alone—preempting the need for a draft. One Breathitt County native in particular went on to earn a Medal of Honor for acts of bravery in the battlefields of occupied France. As we prepare for Veterans Day, we want to spotlight some of the veteran-related content featured in our museum. Learn more in the following story, one of hundreds of stories featured in our 120: Cool KY Counties exhibit.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist
Sergeant Willie Sandlin, c. 1918. Credit: Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
In World War I, Breathitt County filled its quota of troops without relying on the draft. One of those troops even went on to earn the military's highest honor.
Born in Jackson, Breathitt County, Willie Sandlin joined the US Army in the 1910s. He became a sergeant in the Thirty-Third Infantry Division. On September 26, 1918, he wiped out three German machine gun nests. For these and similar actions, he became the only Kentuckian to receive the Medal of Honor during WWI. He was hit with poison gas that October, but fought until Armistice Day.
In 1919, he returned to Kentucky, where he helped educator Cora Wilson Stewart in her literacy campaign. He traveled Kentucky describing how his own struggle with illiteracy had hurt his military career. He encouraged people to support and attend Stewart's Moonlight Schools.
He settled in Leslie County but continued to have health problems as a result of being gassed. He died in 1949.
U of L and UK to Face Off Tomorrow in Rivalry Game
A case of UK and U of L basketball objects on display in the Frazier’s Cool Kentucky exhibition, November 7, 2025.
Tomorrow marks a day many of us circled on our calendars as soon as the NCAA basketball schedules were announced. The University of Louisville men’s basketball team will square off early in the season against the University of Kentucky, Tuesday, November 11, at 8 p.m.
This year’s matchup will take place at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville. But over the years, the teams have played each other in many locations—including Madison Square Garden and the Superdome in New Orleans, as well as both a YMCA gym and a high school gym. The rivalry game has a long and intense history with the first game taking place all the way back in 1913, ending with Kentucky as the winner with a score unheard of today, 34 to 10. There were some long breaks along the way and, as of today, Kentucky holds a strong lead in the series with 40 wins, to Louisville’s 17.
Of course, any rivalry is much more fun when both teams are playing at an elite level. This year’s teams should give both sets of fans something to cheer for with UK coming in ranked ninth in the nation and U of L right behind them ranked eleventh.
And no matter which side you cheer for, we have some super cool artifacts connected to your team to come check out in the Competitive Kentucky section of our Cool Kentucky exhibition. Just to mention a few, we’ve got the iconic red sports coat worn by former U of L coach Denny Crum, jerseys worn by players from both teams, game balls, and more.
Megan Schanie
Sr. Manager of Educational Programs
Museum Shop: Louisville City Skyline Blanket
Louisville city skyline blanket sold in the Frazier’s Museum Shop and online.
Wrap up the magic of Louisville this holiday season! Our Louisville City Skyline Blanket isn’t just a throw—it’s a warm hug from the city you love. Woven in Maine and featuring the city skyline, this is the ultimate gift for every Louisville lover on your list. Order it online and we will ship it free of charge!
Will Smith’s Dreams Come True with the LA Dodgers
Will Smith celebrates at home plate during Game 7 of the World Series, October 31, 2025. Credit: LA Dodgers, Facebook.
From left, Mark Smith, Will Smith holding Charlotte, Cara Smith holding Layton, Sara Kate Smith, Julie Smith, and Sara Kate’s fiancé Foster Russell, 2025.
What happens when your wildest dreams come true?
If you’re hometown hero Will Smith, you step up to the plate in Game 7 of the World Series, tied up at 4-4 against the Toronto Blue Jays, and you hit a home run that clinches the championship for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
And, oh yeah, for Will Smith, the catcher for the Dodgers, it makes his third championship title with the team.
His parents, Mark and Julie Smith, had traveled to games leading up to that moment but were watching in separate rooms (a stress thing) in their Louisville home when Will delivered. They both came out screaming, hugging, and yes even some tears in what was relief and pure joy in what could have been a Hollywood script!
But it’s their lives, and they can’t quite wrap their heads around it. As Julie said, “No one would believe it.”
They are a humble family and quickly say they realize how incredibly lucky they are, and how lucky Will is.
But as a friend of the family, and someone whose son played with Will years ago, it’s also about putting in the work.
Early on, Will knew he wanted to play baseball for as long as he could and at the highest level.
Will’s dad told his son: “If that’s what you want, you ask me when you want my help; I am not going to push, it’s up to you.”
And Will did ask, Mark says. “He wore me out.”
Late nights, and weekends, Will and his father put in the extra work, a lot of it at Kentucky Country Day where he attended high school and his mother taught.
He then played at University of Louisville when Will officially made the switch to catcher. Up until then, he had been mostly pitching and playing infield.
Catcher would be his golden ticket.
Will, quiet by nature, is now riding the wave of fame and celebrity appearing on late night shows like Jimmy Kimmel.
His parents sit back and say, “really?”
And in this moment, Will and his wife Cara have started a nonprofit organization called Catching Hope, providing opportunities for underprivileged children.
His parents are firm believers you use this opportunity to make the world a better place, and he is.
I appreciate Julie and Mark talking to me. Like their son, they are quiet by nature, hard-working, and, yes, they put in the work.
They don’t like the spotlight.
Mark said to me: “We don’t take credit for anything.”
You may not take credit, but I can assure you, your son is a reflection of everything I know about you both as parents.
So, let me end, where this story began . . . what happens when your wildest dreams come true?
You take a deep breath and enjoy it!
And if I know Will, he’s ready to get back to putting in the work.
Rachel Platt
VP of Mission
Aflora Artist Spotlight: Norma Drish
Family of Norma Drish prepare food at Longford Beach in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Norma’s family has gathered at Longford Beach to fish and camp for the past seventy years.
The Frazier History Museum recently partnered with La Casita Center for an exhibition showcasing the works of Latinx artists. Named Aflora (meaning “flourish”), the exhibition is a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Latinx culture. The following is the first in a series of articles written by the artists themselves, giving additional context and meaning to these incredible pieces. Running through spring, the Aflora exhibition is the perfect remedy for the winter blues!—Jason Berkowitz, Engagement Specialist
Making Johnny Cakes by Norma Drish.
Evening Catch by Norma Drish.
I am Norma Drish, born and raised in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, to Puerto Rican parents. My earliest memories of painting and drawing come from sitting at my father’s feet, watching and emulating his work. He was an artist and a sign maker, and through him I absorbed not only the practice of drawing but also the idea that art was a natural part of everyday life.
When I began visiting my family in St. Croix more frequently as an adult, I would always leave art supplies there so I could continue working during my stays. Those visits became the foundation of my portrait work. Simply observing my relatives in their daily routines was deeply inspiring. Everyday tasks carried echoes of the past, almost like memories relived in front of me. My paintings grew from those observations: Coconut Break, capturing the strength and rhythm of chopping wood and coconuts with a machete; Making Johnny Cakes, honoring a centuries-old recipe that links generations and carries memories of struggle and resilience; and Evening Catch, reflecting the timeless labor and pride of returning from a day at sea. Each portrait became both a personal memory and a broader cultural story.
After retiring from the auto industry in 2001, I found my way back to art in a deeper way. An opportunity at the Little Loomhouse—first as a plein-air resident and later with my first solo exhibit—opened the door to a new chapter. Today, I serve as Gallery Manager and Teaching Artist there. That role has allowed me to connect with artists, students, and community members in countless ways. It has also expanded my practice into new mediums, including fiber arts, felting, pressed flower works, and mixed media. Teaching has become part of my creative process, and I am constantly learning from the people I work with.
My work is rooted in culture, memory, and place. I am drawn to portraits because they carry not just likeness but also lived experience—the resilience, pride, and stories of those who came before us. Being part of Aflora at the Frazier Museum feels especially meaningful because the exhibition celebrates how art and culture continue to grow, adapt, and flourish. Just as flowers bloom and spread, so do the stories we carry.
Through my contributions to Aflora, I hope visitors see the beauty in the everyday, the importance of heritage, and the way art allows us to honor the past while making peace with the present.
Norma Drish
Artist
Guest Contributor
Frazier Offers Lights on Main Family History Nights for Schools
Lights on Main graphic.
This winter, the Frazier is pleased to once again partner with the nonprofit I Would Rather Be Reading to offer a magical winter wonderland of holiday trees on all three floors of the museum. During the run of the exhibition, local schools are invited to arrange a family history night for the students, siblings, parents, and caregivers at their school.
Not only will families have the chance to enjoy each other’s company at the museum after hours—they can also choose from a selection of craft and activity tables, enjoy live presentations in the theatre, take part in a tree scavenger hunt, enter for prize drawings, and more!
If you are a school administrator, teacher, or parent who might be interested in arranging a Lights on Main Family History Night for your school, you can learn more here.
Feel free to email education@fraziermuseum.org with any questions.
Megan Schanie
Sr. Manager of Educational Programs
Frazier Partners with Pegasus Tours for Bourbon Tours and Tastings
A Pegasus Tours van.
A tasting mat for Pegasus Tour guests at the Frazier.
Founded in Louisville in 2003, Pegasus Global is Kentucky’s leading luxury transportation and tour experience company. Pegasus offers a variety of tours of Kentucky’s Bourbon experiences—one of which brings visitors here to the Frazier History Museum, the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®! As a premier destination for Bourbon history tourism and tastings, we’re so excited to partner with Pegasus. Keep reading to learn more and book your Pegasus Tour today.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist
Pegasus Tours, a division of Pegasus Global, is thrilled to announce a new and exclusive partnership with the Frazier History Museum—home of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center, the official starting point of every Bourbon adventure. From here, your journey into Bourbon country begins in true Pegasus style: comfortable, curated, and a little bit classy.
Every Bourbon Social™ experience takes flight from the legendary Galt House hotel, begins at the Frazier, and whisks guests away on a spirited day of discovery. Choose from three handcrafted itineraries—Legends & Barrels (Central Kentucky), Angels & Outlaws (Louisville), and Mash & Mingle (Bardstown)—each designed to showcase the craftsmanship, stories, and spirit that make Kentucky Bourbon world-renowned.
Every tour features a snazzy luxury shuttle, a professional Pegasus driver, and a certified Bourbon Host who ensures your day flows as smoothly as the Bourbon you’ll sip. With lunch pre-ordered and every detail handled, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
And this is just the beginning. Pegasus will soon expand beyond Bourbon to include horse farm, winery, and brewery experiences, offering guests even more ways to explore Kentucky’s signature blend of culture, history, and hospitality.
Through its exclusive partnership with the Frazier, Pegasus brings visitors not just a taste of Bourbon, but a deeper connection to Kentucky’s heritage—where every pour tells a story and every stop is a toast to tradition.
Melissa Page-Jones
Owner, MPJ Creative Services
Guest Contributor
History All Around Us
Farewell to Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins (1936–2025)
Martha Layne Collins.
Martha Layne Collins serves as a panelist during the Louisville Forum’s annual dinner, held at the Frazier History Museum, February 27, 2020. Credit: Joe Arnold.
I first met Governor Martha Layne Collins in the 1980s when I was working as a reporter in Huntington, West Virginia. I traveled to Frankfort, Kentucky, to interview her as part of a series I was doing on women in power.
From schoolteacher to politics, she blazed the trail to the Governor’s mansion.
Collins, of course, became the first and only woman to be elected Governor in Kentucky in 1983. Being a first is never easy, but I remember her handling the interview and her term with grace and tenacity.
Full circle moment when in February of 2020, she made one of her final public appearances here at the Frazier History Museum as part of a panel I moderated. It was the Louisville Forum’s dinner Women’s Suffrage Centennial: What it Means for Kentucky Women Today. It was part of our Suffrage exhibition.
She heralded women for their good work in our state, for making a difference, for making hard choices on family and career, and for all the juggling in between. She talked about women being educated, trained, and dedicated—and how proud she was to be one of the crew.
Thank you, Governor Collins, for leading by example, and for being one of the crew.
Watch the panel discussion below to hear what Governor Collins had to say.
Rachel Platt
VP of Mission
