Louisville, Kentucky
Address
829 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202

Admissions

Adults: $9.00
Seniors (60+): $6.00
Children under 14: $6.00
Children under 5: FREE

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Michelle Gelback
phone: 502-753-1681
Description

The Frazier Historical Arms Museum opened in May 2004, and houses two world-class collections, Britain's Royal Armouries, USA and The Frazier Collection. The Royal Armouries is Britain's oldest national museum, which includes the Tower of London, Fort Nelson, and the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Thanks to this historic collaboration with the Royal Armouries, the Frazier Museum is the first cultural institution in the world dedicated to telling the complete American story, including its British and European roots.
The Frazier Museum holds in trust ones of the greatest collections of arms, armor and related historical artifacts in the world. Its vision is to become an internationally acclaimed museum for the study of history, the support of education and the artistic presentation of arms and armor.

Artifact Collections

Many of the American pieces once belonged to famous politicians and celebrities; noted frontiersmen and soldiers. At no other museum in the world will you find the long rifle of President George Washington, the family bible of legendary pioneer Daniel Boone, the "Big stick" of President Theodore Roosevelt, the bow attributed to the great Apache warrior Geronimo, the ivory-handled Colt pistols of General George Armstrong Custer and more.

Educational Programs

Experience history like you've never seen it before. The Frazier brings history to life every day through:

  • Live performances by costumed interpreters
  • Interactive multimedia presentations
  • Educational programming for all ages
  • Hands-on learning
Currently, the Frazier Museum has over 25 interpretations, and guests can enjoy up to eight interpretations a day. Some favorites include Annie Oakley, Holt Collier and The Hastings Knight: 1066. Each interpretation provides guests with a glimpse into the life of the character being portrayed. Guests are encouraged to ask questions after the interpretations, and are allowed to hold some of the replica artifacts like helmets and swords. Interpretations change daily and guests are encouraged to call Guest Services the day they plan to visit to get the interpretation schedule.

Guests can experience real sword fighting in our 3rd floor tournament ring. Our interpreters demonstrate historical combat skills using sword and buckler, rapier and dagger techniques taken directly from 16th Century manuals. By the end of the summer, the Museum will have its very own suits of armor, which will be worn during sword fight demonstrations.

The Museum is equipped with multimedia presentations that highlight everything from the Tower of London to dispelling the myths of the "Wild West." Guests can even learn how revolvers work and how arms and armor were made.

The Frazier has a variety of educational programming designed to engage guests of all ages. "The 'Bite' of History" lunchtime lecture series features prominent local and regional scholars, archivists, researchers and writers offering a wide range of interesting views into historical culture. Some previous topics have included, "Jesse James in Kentucky," "Civil War Musician Soldiers," and "Social Life in the Antebellum South." This lecture series is free and open to the public on the third Thursday of each month.

"Family Day at The Frazier" gives parents and children a chance to reconnect and enjoy the day together. Each Family Day revolves around a theme and the activities, scavenger hunts and daily interpretations are planned around that theme. The June 2005 Family Day theme is "Hard Hats and Safety." Children will learn how armor is still used today, and how important it was back then, as well as now, to practice safety. Admission is free with regular paid Museum admission.

"KnightTime at The Frazier" is an exciting and educational sleepover opportunity for groups. Activities include flashlight tours through the galleries, crafts, watching a movie in our 50-person movie theatre, jumping in the bouncy castle, building a castle or fort and playing with a giant chess set. Groups actually sleep in the galleries. Reservations are required. Admission is extra.

For more information on our school field-trips, please visit our website at http://www.frazierarmsmuseum.org/education_programming.html.

Governance

501-c-3 non-profit

Library
Access: Staff Only
Appointment required: No
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
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March 15 - 18, 2025

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September 10 - 13, 2025

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