Black Experience Archive

Black history has always mattered. The Black experience is inseparable from the history of the Ohio Valley region.

The Black Experience Archive at the Filson collects, preserves, and shares the diverse stories of Black life in the Ohio Valley. By documenting and celebrating the full spectrum of Black lived experiences—from family traditions and community leadership to artistic expression, resilience, and joy—the Black Experience Archive affirms that these stories are fundamental to the history, culture, and future of the Ohio Valley.

Filson Resources on Black History

BEA Presentation Request

Donate to the Collection

Recent Black Experience Archive Programming

Rooted in Strength: The Black Family and Its Connection to the Black Experience

She’s Your Queen to Be!: Black Women in the Kentucky Pageantry Circuit

“Alleyway: Early Residential Patterns of Louisville, KY” - Dr. Camara Douglas, Ph.D.

I’m Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville, 1958-1981 - Louisville Story Program

Recent Black Experience Archive Programming

Rooted in Strength: The Black Family and Its Connection to the Black Experience

She’s Your Queen to Be!: Black Women in the Kentucky Pageantry Circuit

“Alleyway: Early Residential Patterns of Louisville, KY” - Dr. Camara Douglas, Ph.D.

I’m Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville, 1958-1981 - Louisville Story Program

History of the Black Experience Archive at the Filson

In 2023, the Filson Historical Society launched the African American History Initiative (AAHI) to collect, preserve, and share African American history and culture in Louisville, Kentucky, southern Indiana, and the greater Ohio Valley region.

Supported by a $3.5 million endowment, this work is a permanent commitment of the Filson, ensuring sustained engagement with Black communities, expanded public programs, and growth of the collections.

After two successful years, AAHI evolved into the Black Experience Archive (BEA), reflecting a more intentional and expansive approach to documenting Black life in the Ohio Valley.

Highlights from the initiative’s first two years include:

Acquiring objects from the 2020 Breonna Taylor protests
Collecting artwork exploring Black social and political ideas
Producing two exhibitions focused on the Black experience
Hosting programs on topics ranging from Black beauty queens and Black family life to post-slavery housing patterns

Looking Ahead

As the Black Experience Archive continues to grow, it will build upon its early successes by deepening community partnerships, expanding access to Black stories, and creating new opportunities for engagement throughout the Ohio Valley.

In the years ahead, BEA will focus on:

Strengthening relationships with Black communities, organizations, and stakeholders throughout the region.
Creating a welcoming space where community members feel empowered to share and preserve their stories.
Expanding outreach and engagement through partnerships, offsite programs, and collaborations beyond Louisville.
Increasing access to collections and research that illuminate the diverse experiences of Black life in the Ohio Valley.

The Filson gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the William M. Wood Foundation, Brown-Forman, and our individual donors and foundation partners in creating the Black Experience Archive at the Filson.

Building the Collection

The BEA is expanding the Filson’s collections by actively documenting, preserving, and sharing the diverse stories of Black life throughout Louisville and the Ohio Valley.

Recent acquisitions include artwork, poetry, family heirlooms, school records, and business documents that preserve stories of creativity, education, work, community, and everyday life.

Interested in donating? Learn more about donating to the Filson’s collections or contact Jacqueline Hudson, Ph.D., Curator of the Black Experience Archive, at gro.l1785306315aciro1785306315tsihn1785306315oslif1785306315@nosd1785306315uhj1785306315.

Community Voices

“Meeting with Dr. Hudson to evaluate my great-grandfather’s early twentieth-century business ledger was the beginning of a meaningful connection with the Filson. Her expertise, accessibility, and genuine interest in my family’s history made the donation process both informative and rewarding.” — Ms. Debra Harley

“It was an honor to have Jacqueline reach out and include my piece, ‘Broadway Roller Rink,’ which is a historic part of the African American community in Louisville. This piece captures history and memories and will be preserved, shared, and cherished for years to come.” — Mr. Darryl Tucker

Meet the Curator

Jacqueline Hudson, Ph.D.
Curator of the Black Experience Archive

Dr. Jacqueline Hudson leads the Filson Historical Society’s efforts to more fully represent the history and culture of the diverse Black communities throughout Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. Through community partnerships, collecting, research, exhibitions, and public programming, she works to expand the Filson’s collections and strengthen connections with Black communities across the region.

“I celebrate, honor, and observe Black history every day. In this work, I stress the fact that Black Americans are not a monolith and they are making history in their own communities. As the Curator of the Black Experience Archive at the Filson, it is imperative to continue the legacy of advocating for Black memory work in the Ohio Valley region.” — Jacqueline Hudson, Ph.D.

Visit the Filson

The Filson will be closed to the Public on 8/14/26 & 8/21/26.

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.

Join the Filson's Email List

Enter your email and be among the first to know about Filson events and news!