Filson Historical Society, Louisville

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Filson Historical Society, Louisville

Filson Historical Society, Louisville

The Filson Historical Society in Louisville is one of the state’s most important repositories of regional history. Originally founded in 1884 as the Filson Club by Col. Reuben T. Durrett and a group of Louisville’s prominent citizens, the society was named in honor of early explorer and historian John Filson, whose 1784 publication helped shape the early identity of Kentucky. The society’s mission was, and remains, to preserve the rich historical record of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. Among its more curious holdings is a section of beech tree inscribed with the folkloric claim, “D. Boon kilt a bar 1803.”

Following Durrett’s failing health in the 1910s, the society faced a major setback when most of its collection was sold to the University of Chicago. Despite this loss, the Filson steadily rebuilt its archives and now holds an extensive array of over 1.5 million manuscript items, 50,000 library volumes, thousands of artifacts, and a notable collection of regional portraits. These resources are open to the public and continue to support scholarly research, genealogical work, and educational programming.

The Filson has also evolved as a cultural hub, offering lectures, exhibitions, and academic conferences that explore Kentucky’s social, political, and cultural history. Since 1986, its home has been the stately Ferguson Mansion in Old Louisville, a grand structure built between 1901 and 1905, once considered the city’s most lavish private residence.

In 1991, the Society expanded its historical footprint further when Thomas Walker Bullitt donated his family farmhouse and surrounding historic property. Today, the Filson Historical Society stands as both a guardian of the past and a dynamic participant in the intellectual and cultural life of Kentucky.

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Filson Historical Society on Map

Sight Name: Filson Historical Society
Sight Location: Louisville, USA (See walking tours in Louisville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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