The Filson is temporarily closed to the public to protect our staff, volunteers, and patrons during the coronavirus pandemic. All events are currently postponed or virtual; to register for our live virtual events, please visit our Events Page; for information on recorded lectures and other activities, please visit us online at Bringing History Home. We continue to provide remote research services; please email research@filsonhistorical.org.
Attend an Event
Visit the Filson for multiple engaging programs on a weekly basis, the majority of which are here at our beautiful Old Louisville campus. Learn more on the Events page. Most programs are free for Filson members and $15 for non-members. Please see individual event listing for exact pricing.
Visit the Campus and Exhibits
Interested in seeing a Filson exhibit or visiting the historic Ferguson Mansion? The Filson offers free tours every weekday at 2pm, with additional tours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and one. Visitors will tour the campus, including the Ferguson Mansion and Carriage house, two rotating galleries featuring thematic exhibits from the Filson’s collections, and the newest addition to our campus, the Owsley Brown II History Center. Exhibits are also open before or after relevant programing – look for the Programs Plus events!
Research in the Collections
Research hours at the Filson are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Most of our materials are on site and are pulled on demand, however appointments are necessary to see museum items. Learn more!
Research fees are waived for most Filson members and are $10 for non members; students do not incur a research fee thanks to the David Armstrong Fellowships.
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, parties, or weddings. 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.
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.
Nearby Accommodations
The Filson is close to a variety of places to stay if you are planning to visit from out of town. Click here to see a list of nearby accommodations.
