About Us

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  • Photo of Ruben Durrett's Library. The first meeting place of the Filson Historical Society.

Welcome to The Filson Historical Society!

The Filson Historical Society, founded in 1884, is a privately supported historical society dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the significant history and culture of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. We have served the public through our extensive and historic collections of original manuscripts, letters, diaries, photographs, architectural records, rare imprints, books, maps, newspapers, textiles, portraits, and other three dimensional items.  Our collections form a regional educational resource that attracts national and international researchers.

We are an organization dedicated to providing continuing adult education in the form of quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal, Ohio Valley History, a quarterly magazine, The Filson, weekly lectures, historical tours, exhibits, reading and discussion groups, weekend-long conferences, a field institute, and excursions.

Learn about our history, our programs and collections, donate, and become a member today!

2025 Year in Review

2025 Filson Year in Review Info sheet
2025 Filson Year in Review Info sheet

Financial Transparency 

At the Filson Historical Society, we believe in openness and responsible stewardship of the funds entrusted to us. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we make our annual IRS Form 990 tax filing available to the public. 

2024 990 Form (PDF)

Candid Profile

If you have any questions about our financials, please contact us.

Visit the Filson

The Filson will be closed to the Public on Friday 9/18/26.

Open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm

The Filson is closed to the public the 3rd Friday of every month.

1310 S. 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 635-5083

Plan Your Visit to the Filson!  To register or purchase tickets for our events, please visit our Events Page.

The Research Library is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30pm; we are closed on the third Friday of each month. Appointments are not required, but feel free to reserve a seat online – learn more here.  We also provide remote research services; please complete our research request form online here.

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