Frazier International History Museum

The Frazier International History Museum, formerly the Frazier Historical Arms Museum, is an museum located in Louisville, Kentucky's "Museum Row" in the West Main District of downtown. It is named for founder Owsley Brown Frazier.

The facilities include 75,000 square feet of exhibition space over three floors, as well as two areas for interpretations, a 120-seat auditorium, a 48-seat movie theater, and various displays (including multimedia, interactive and audio-visual). The Frazier Museum Store is located on the first floor in the front of the museum, and contains a small vending/eating area.

A number of costumed interpreters are employed, and a tournament ring features live demonstrations on the use of arms and armor. There are educational, cultural and entertainment activities at the museum throughout the day and evening. There are also traveling exhibitions on display that are on loan from various sources.

In addition, the museum also has a fifth floor rooftop garden that can be rented for activities.

Collections

The museum focuses on U.S. and UK arms, armor and other historical objects from the last 1,000 years, with exhibits including firearms, shields, swords, suits of armor and medieval weapons. It is the only museum in the world to have a satellite museum of the Royal Armouries (Britain's oldest museum). Items in the collection include a rifle owned by George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick" hunting rifle, items owned by "Buffalo Bill" Cody and outlaw Jesse James. The museum also features traveling exhibits.

The Frazier is also home to The Royal Armouries USA – a component of Britain's Royal Armouries (Britain's oldest museum). The Frazier is the only national museum outside of Great Britain to house a collection representing British artifacts from the 11th to the 20th centuries. The Royal Armouries galleries span the entire 3rd floor of The Frazier, and provides an in-depth look at British and European history, as well as capturing the art of early arms making.

ee also

*List of attractions and events in Louisville, Kentucky

External links

* [http://www.fraziermuseum.org/ Frazier International History Museum website]
* [http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_visit_frazier.html A visitor's experience: The Frazier Historical Arms Museum] (myArmoury.com article)
* [http://www.fraziermuseum.org/dragons/ Special Dragon Exhibit June 2 - Sept 4] Summer exhibit