Good Monday morning, winter wanderers!

Rachel Platt highlights a historical look at winter storms in Kentucky below.

But first, I want to tell you about an act of kindness that may warm your heart. Warming our fingers and toes may still be a few days away.

The generosity comes from a local architecture firm, a local construction company, and a director on our board who are all invested through time, talent, and treasure in the daily showing of KentuckyShow! at the Frazier Kentucky History Museum.

If you haven’t seen it, KentuckyShow! is an exciting, emotionally compelling multimedia experience narrated by Ashley Judd that captures Kentuck’s people, culture, history, music, spirit, and more. Inspiring both laughter and tears, KentuckyShow! plays three times every day at the Frazier. This week, that experience was made even more immersive.

Over the last few weeks our theater has been transformed from an open-walled, curtain-lined room in the middle of our Cool Kentucky exhibition to an enclosed sight-, sound-, and light-proof theater that improves the experience for guests both inside the theater and in our galleries.

Starting later this week, on Friday, folks will enjoy KentuckyShow! in an enclosed Brown-Forman Theatre pulsing with 120 decibels of inspiring surround sound and brilliant colors.

Our new and improved theater was a gift from Potter Architects and Parco Constructors Group, with enthusiastic encouragement from KentuckyShow! President and Executive Producer Sharon Potter. Sharon serves on our Board of Directors and is a gift to the Frazier in and of herself. Thanks to all!

In today’s issue of Frazier Weekly, Downtown Hometown Tourist Celebration is extended, providing half-off admission for another week! Spring Break camps are now live, our Four Roses program is back on the books, and a brand new international Bourbon event kicks off Presidents’ Day weekend at the Frazier.

Enjoy!

This Week in the Museum

Join Us March 5 for our Four Roses Bourbon Barrel Selection Experience

Note that this program was originally meant to take place around Valentine’s Day, but due to a scheduling conflict it has been moved to March 5!—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist

The Frazier Kentucky History Museum invites you to experience the heritage, craftsmanship, and flavor complexity of one of Kentucky’s most iconic historic brands—Four Roses Bourbon!

Join us at the Frazier, Thursday, March 5, 6:30–8 p.m., for an intimate evening of tastings, pairings, and exceptional Bourbon as we celebrate the artistry of Four Roses’ ten unique recipes. Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott and Four Roses Brand Champion Tucker Carper will share stories and lead guided tastings culminating with the exclusive single-barrel OBSO 9+ year selection that all attendees will have the option to purchase.

Cultured Cheese & Charcuterie Bar will pair small bites, specifically curated to compliment every offering in the Four Roses lineup. Whether you’re sharing the experience with a partner, friends, or fellow Bourbon lovers, this is a March madness celebration not to be missed.

Admission is $45, and the Four Roses OBSO Frazier Barrel Selection bottle costs $125.

Spots are limited, so secure your tickets now!

Grow with Us this Spring at Camp Frazier!

2026 Growing this Spring! Spring Break Camp flyer.

After the snowstorm Louisville just endured, I’ve personally found myself dreaming of warmer weather and spring flowers compared to the cold and snow. If you’ve been feeling the same way, I can’t control the weather, but I can give you brighter days to look forward to.

This April, get ready to grow with us at Camp Frazier for our Growing this Spring! Spring Break Camp.

During this camp, each day will focus on a different element of springtime that gets us excited about the season: Plants, Weather, Animals, Parks, and Play! Learn about the natural wonders of the Bluegrass State, hear tales of courage and growth by Kentuckians, and more! Make arts and crafts, explore the Frazier’s exhibitions, and even go on field trips outside of the museum. Frazier’s Growing this Spring! Spring Break Camp will take place April 6–10. Registration will be pay-by-the-day, and camp will be geared towards kids in grades 1–5. We would love to see you there, so don’t wait and register your camper here today!

I’m also pleased to announce that after last week’s announcement for our Presidential Pop-Up Camp this February 16, we have already almost sold out! To snatch your spot beforehand and to learn more about this America250-themed pop-up, make sure you register your camper here today!

Last but not least, I have already had a few inquiries as to when Camp Frazier will announce the themes and dates for our 2026 Summer Camps. Luckily, we are now in the process of finalizing our plans for the summer, so make sure to stay tuned and look out for the next edition of Frazier Weekly, where I will announce everything you need to know about our Summer Camps in the open letter. We are so excited to see your campers and make some fun memories at all of our camps this year, so make sure to check back in for more details to come!

A Snowstorm to Remember

Winter Storm Fern wasn’t a snowstorm for the record books, but it was one to remember, and enough to close schools and have folks digging out for days.

The latest numbers I read had close to six inches of snow at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, but places like Seymour, Indiana, got about fourteen inches. And unfortunately, to our south, many of you had to deal with ice.

Since we are a history museum, I decided to look at the record books for snow and was overwhelmed by all the categories: snowiest day, deepest snow depths, longest period of time with at least one inch of snow on the ground . . . and so on.

To keep it simple, I am focusing on top ten snowiest days in Louisville, Kentucky—and the winner is: January 17, 1994, with fifteen-and-a-half inches, followed by fifteen inches on December 8, 1917. Our recent snowfall didn’t make the top ten.

But we all know with this snow, sleet, and ice came dangerously cold temperatures. It may not have been historic, but it was a handful.

Thanks to all the emergency personnel, healthcare workers, road crews, and more who kept us up and running.

Here at the Frazier, thanks to our security officer Steve Thomas, who spent the weekend inside and outside the museum (ready for the elements!), making sure there were no problems. We appreciate you.

And thanks for all the love on social media when our team decided I needed to use my past profession and my “TV anchor voice” to announce the Frazier’s snow closing. Your kind words made my day. Sorry I couldn’t cue up the “Bellavia” music for it.

Stay warm, stay safe, and make sure to check on your neighbor.

Half-Off Admission for Locals Extended Through February 8!

Objects from ear X-tacy, Jack Harlow, Jennifer Lawrence, and George Clooney are on display in the Entertaining Kentucky gallery in the *Cool Kentucky* exhibition at the Frazier, November 5, 2024.

Due to the recent snowstorm, the Downtown Hometown Tourist Celebration is being extended a week! Residents of Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana are invited to celebrate their city and visit local tourist spots in their Downtown.

The Downtown Hometown Tourist Celebration offers half-off admission at participating downtown attractions—including the Frazier Kentucky History Museum! Just provide a valid Kentucky or Indiana ID, a local college ID, or a military ID at admissions.

Museum Shop: Cardinal Bird Jigsaw Puzzle

A favorite cozy pastime? Doing jigsaw puzzles. Our Museum Shop carries a thoughtfully curated collection—with a very Kentucky point of view. One of our favorites (fair warning: it’s a real challenge!) features the Kentucky state bird, the cardinal. It’s perfect for puzzle lovers who enjoy a good test of patience.

Join Us Presidents’ Day Weekend for the Beginning of a New Bourbon Tradition

Hey all, there’s a new international Bourbon event coming to Kentucky and it kicks off Presidents’ Day weekend at the Frazier. The Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration is years in the works and is expected to draw Bourbon enthusiasts from all over the world.

With the explosion of new Bourbon brands and diverse experiences around Kentucky, doing something unique is no longer easy. But I think our friends at Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration have pulled it off. All the great brands are featured, and it kicks off at the Frazier Kentucky History Museum.

Here’s the event founder, Andrew Varga, to tell you more.—Andrew Treinen, President & CEO

As we look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary, the Frazier Kentucky History Museum will play a central role in launching a landmark new tradition that honors Bourbon as America’s native spirit and Kentucky’s most influential cultural export.

This Presidents’ Day weekend, February 13–15, Louisville will host the inaugural Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration, a carefully curated, three-day experience designed to offer the most complete and immersive taste of Kentucky’s Bourbon lifestyle. From the Grand Reveal Tasting hosted at the Frazier to the signature Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and all the culinary events and distillery experiences in between, the weekend brings together history, craftsmanship, and community like never before.

We are especially honored to open the weekend at the Frazier with the Grand Reveal Tasting, an unforgettable evening to set the tone for everything that follows. Against the backdrop of the museum’s rich storytelling tradition, guests will enjoy exceptional Bourbons paired with Kentucky-inspired cuisine and immersive experiences. This intentional beginning reflects both the cultural significance of Bourbon and the spirit of this milestone year.

From there, the weekend unfolds across Louisville and Bourbon Country, building toward the Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction, a refined evening of Bourbon, cuisine, and philanthropy featuring rare bottles, exclusive barrels, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Proceeds from the auction benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation, supporting veterans, first responders, and their families. As we commemorate 250 years of American history, this celebration stands as both a tribute to heritage and a powerful act of giving back.

Tickets and weekend passes are now available online, with limited capacity across all events. We invite you to join us at the Frazier Kentucky History Museum for the Grand Reveal and to be part of a historic weekend that honors Kentucky’s past, present, and future through Bourbon.

Learn more and secure tickets at KYBCA.com.

Andrew Varga
Founder, Bourbon Country Auction & Celebration
Guest Contributor

Frazier’s Education Team Member Ponk Celebrates World Axolotl Day

Little known to many museum guests and passersby, there is a smiling axolotl named Ponk who lives at the Frazier. Peering through his little aquarium, Ponk enjoys his view of the campers, students, and field trip participants who come through the Education Center on their quests to learn about Kentucky. In celebration of World Axolotl Day on February 1, Ponk has written a poem for your enjoyment.—Abby Flanders, Administrative Chief of Engagement

I’m Ponk, an amphibian star,
In the Frazier—the best place by far!
From my tank I can see,
Kids laughing with glee,
As they learn who Kentuckians are.

Campers come by here to play,
With stories, games, and hooray!
I wiggle and grin,
As the field trips pour in—
Their wonder just brightens my day.

Some stop to wave (or to stare),
At my gills and my frilly pink hair.
I think, “What a view!
You’re learning—and I am too—
From right here in my bubbly lair.”

Bridging the Divide

Violins of Hope Exhibition is Back in Kentucky

Even in the Holocaust, there was hope.

That moving phrase was part of Violins of Hope, a community-wide commemoration in Louisville in 2019.

The Frazier Kentucky History Museum was one of many partners, displaying more than twenty historic violins, violas, and cellos that survived the Holocaust.

Those musical instruments were restored by violin-makers Amnon and Avshalom Weinstein, the owners of the collection.

It was more than an exhibition: It was a week of educational and cultural offerings.

Violins of Hope is now ready to visit Lexington, Kentucky, this month, starting February 10 at the University of Kentucky and around the community.

Be sure to check out the schedule of events that includes ticketed as well as free films, lectures, concerts, and the exhibition itself displaying the historical musical instruments.

The violins were played by musicians in ghettos, in concentration camps, and as symbols of resistance.

“The role of violins in the war was to touch hearts, kindle hope for better times, and spread it around,” the exhibition states. “Wherever there was music, there was hope.”

My hope is, if you weren’t able to absorb this history when it was in Louisville, you’ll head to Lexington.

How fortunate Kentucky is to be getting this for a second time.

Rachel Platt
VP of Mission

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