Plan Your Visit Today!
The Filson is closed Friday July 3rd for Independence Day
Visiting our campus
Welcome! The Filson’s operating hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm. Our exhibition galleries and research library are open during these times. We are closed on the third Friday of each month. Our main entrance is located in the Carriage House behind the Ferguson Mansion; please check in with our front desk attendant to register. See below for more detailed information regarding directions, parking, and accessibility. During inclement weather, the Filson will post any closures or delays on social media and filsonhistorical.org.
Filson Guest Code of Conduct that all visitors are expected to follow (PDF)
Upcoming Closures
Here is a list of the upcoming closures that deviate from our normal operating hours. Please reference this list when preparing for your visit or research.
| 7/3/26 July 4th Observed | 7/17/26 In-Service | 8/21/26 In-Service | 9/7/26 Labor Day | 9/18/26 In-Service* |
| 10/16/26 In-Service | 11/20/26 In-Service | 11/26/26 Thanksgiving | 11/27/26 Thanksgiving | 12/18/26 In-Service |
| Winter Holidays: 12/24/26 through 12/31/26 | | | | |
*On 9/18/2026, the Filson will be closed during normal operating hours but open for the exhibit opening of Behind the Curtain: 75 Years of Louisville Ballet.
Weekday Tours
We offer free, guided tours Monday and Thursday at 2 pm. On this 45-60 minute tour, visitors will tour the campus, including the historic Ferguson Mansion and Wood Carriage House, and the 2016 addition to our campus, the Owsley Brown II History Center. Reservations are required for these tours. Make a reservation in our online portal to guarantee your spot.
Group Tours
To schedule a group tour of the Filson for your business, non-profit, or social organization, please contact Brenna Cundiff.
School Groups
School groups can visit the Filson for tours of the historic Ferguson mansion and exhibit galleries and take advantage of the library and collections for research purposes. Reservations are required. For more information, please contact Jennie Cole.
Research in the Collections
Research room hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-4:30pm; new materials are not pulled after 4pm. We are closed on the third Friday of each month.
While appointments are not required, researchers can reserve a research appointment online or by calling the Filson (502-635-5083); seating is limited and first come, first serve. When you arrive, please check in and register at our front desk in the Carriage House.
Most of our cataloged collections are housed on site and can be pulled on demand, but please contact us to view museum collections via email (gro.l1782210603aciro1782210603tsihn1782210603oslif1782210603@hcra1782210603eser1782210603) or phone (502-635-5083).
Research fees are waived for most Filson members and are $10 for non-members. Student researchers receive free access to the research library through the Lionel and Mary Ann Currier Student Research Fund.
Host Your Next Event Here!
The Filson is a unique venue that blends the historic with the modern and provides a stunning background for any event. Several areas of the campus are available to be rented for dinners, retreats, meetings, receptions, or parties. Learn more and contact us here!
Directions
From Interstate 65 S: Take exit 135 (St. Catherine Street) and turn right at the end of the ramp. Follow St. Catherine until you come to Third Street, then turn left. Continue down Third Street through two stoplights. The Filson is immediately on your right just past W. Ormsby Ave.
From Interstate 65 N: Take exit 135 (St. Catherine Street) and turn left at the end of the ramp. Follow St. Catherine until you come to Third Street, then turn left. Continue down Third Street through two stoplights. The Filson is immediately on your right just past W. Ormsby Ave.
*Starting June 1st of 2026 and going through the end of July 2026 portions of I-65 in Louisville will be closed for construction. We have updated the directions to take this into account. For more information please visit: https://i65centralcorridor.com/
From Interstate 65 Southbound: Use the right lane to merge onto I-64 W via the ramp to St. Louis. From there, take exit 4 for 9th St. Continue on S 9th St. for 1.9 miles. Use the right lane to take the Oak St. ramp. At the light, make a slight left onto W. Oak St. In 0.5 miles, turn right onto S 3rd St. In 0.2 miles, the Filson will be on the right.
From Interstate 65 Northbound: Use the right two lanes to take exit 131A to merge onto I-264 W. Use the right lane to take exit 10 for 3rd St. toward KY-1020/Southern Pkwy. Follow signs to 3rd St., then turn right. Turn right onto S 3rd St./Southern Pkwy. Continue to follow 3rd St. In 1.3 miles, S 3rd St turns slightly right and becomes S 2nd St. In one mile, turn left onto W. Ormsby Ave. Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto S 3rd St. The Filson is immediately on your right.
Parking
The Filson has parking lots on the north and south sides of the Ferguson Mansion, Wood Carriage House, and Owsley Brown II History Center. The Filson also owns an adjacent lot at the northeast corner of Ormsby and Third Streets. Accessible parking is available on the south side of the campus, and all parking on the north side allows for stairs-free accessible entrance to our buildings as well. Parking for all Filson events, research, and tours is free of charge. Street parking is also available nearby on Third Street and Ormsby Avenue.
Bicycle parking is available in our adjacent lot on the northeast corner of Ormsby and Third Streets or visitors can bring their bikes into the Filson lobby for storage during their stay.
Accessibility
The Filson Historical Society’s campus is accessible to people with physical disabilities.
Accessibility features include:
- Designated handicap parking located on the south side of the Ferguson Mansion and Owsley Brown II History Center
- Accessible doors located on both sides of the Wood Carriage House and Owsley Brown II History Center
- Elevators
If you have any questions about accessibility prior to your visit, please contact us at 502-635-5083.
Nearby Accommodations
The Filson is close to a variety of places to stay if you are planning to visit from out of town. List of Nearby Accommodations (PDF)
Inclement Weather Policy
During inclement weather, the Filson will post any closures or delays on social media and filsonhistorical.org.
