John Filson was Kentucky’s first well documented historian. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania around the year 1747. He worked as a schoolteacher for some time, then eventually purchased 12,000 acres worth of land in the region that would soon become the commonwealth of Kentucky. He worked in the area as a surveyor, arriving in 1783 and publishing his book and accompanying map a year later. Filson’s book published the first biographical information, lore, and legend of explorer Daniel Boone, whom Filson encountered and interviewed during his time in Kentucky. Filson’s publication also widely circulated the myth of the area as a “Dark and Bloody Ground,” benefitting colonial settlers’ claims to territory and encouraging European settlement of the area.
Visit the Filson
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 email gro.l1710815610aciro1710815610tsihn1710815610oslif1710815610@hcra1710815610eser1710815610.