The Filson Historical Society

06/23/2026

While it was not the end of lynch culture, Owensboro hosted what would be the last public ex*****on in America in August of 1936. Author Sonya Lea came to the Filson to discuss her book and the ways she dealt with that history in her hometown.

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day! Check out this family photo throwback from 1850! Pictured here: Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. (son of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition) and his six sons: William, Samuel, Meriwether, John, George Rogers, and Charles.

Legacy runs deep in this family photo.

06/19/2026

Today, Juneteenth, marks the historic June 19, 1865 declaration of freedom in Texas. And history reminds us how those waves of emancipation continued to spread.

Later that same year, Kentucky celebrated its own vital victories, like Union soldier Charles Lee and his family being officially confirmed as free citizens seen in this document.

From becoming a national holiday in 2021 to a Louisville city holiday in 2022, we continue to remember, educate, and celebrate. Happy Juneteenth!

06/17/2026

Discover the complexities of rural Appalachian life through the lens of marginalized communities. Join the Filson for an exclusive evening featuring an interview with author, advocate, and former Kentucky Teacher of the Year, Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr. The discussion will explore his work, the realities of rural life, and the powerful resilience of q***r individuals, women, and people of color in Appalachia.

Spaces are limited for this event. Register here: https://ow.ly/N1zt50ZbXxI to secure your seat and join the conversation.

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

While Boyz II Men compare the warmth of their mothers’ love to the comfort of soul food, the connection also underscores how soul food serves as a powerful force in bringing Black families together.

June is National Soul Food Month, a celebration of the rich culinary tradition created by enslaved Africans in the American South. Traditional dishes such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, fried okra, and cornbread reflect both the resourcefulness and enduring cultural legacy of generations past.

06/14/2026

Today is National Bourbon Day! A look back at the post-Prohibition era. Following the repeal, production was heavily regulated by the U.S. government. At the W. L. Weller & Sons Distillery, employees and government officials directly oversaw daily operations, including the critical stage where grain underwent fermentation in large tubs before distillation seen in the photo above.

06/12/2026

Charles Gruenberger and Jack Kersey were key leaders in Louisville's LGBTQ+ community. They used their dental and real estate businesses to fund safe housing, community organizing spaces, and local advocacy groups. Jack also helped establish the city's first AIDS hospice houses and support hotlines.

Collecting, preserving, and sharing the history and culture of Kentucky & the Ohio Valley since 1884.

06/10/2026

In June 1979, a small group of music industry insiders lobbied President Jimmy Carter to officially recognize Black Music Month.

Black musicians have driven major cultural innovations that are often misunderstood today. For example, while the banjo is widely perceived as an instrument of white Appalachia, its origins and development are deeply rooted in Black culture.

Let's celebrate the Black creators who shaped the American soundscape!

06/09/2026

Sign up here: https://ow.ly/vKy450Z6k2y or use the QR Code!

Join The Filson for a special Pride Month event featuring celebrated Appalachian author and advocate Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr. We will discuss his new work, Tore All to Pieces, a powerful exploration of connection, loneliness, and the resilience of marginalized voices in rural America. Join the Filson for an interview with Mr. Carver, followed by a talk-back session with the representatives from LGBTQ+ organizations throughout the Commonwealth.