Special Collections

The Special Collections Department of The Filson generally holds primary source material such as letters, diaries, business and institutional records, photographs, scrapbooks, architectural drawings, and other material either unique or rare. Ephemera such as sheet music, theater programs, and broadsides are also part of the collection. The departmental holdings are divided into two main collections - manuscripts and photographs & prints. Manuscripts and printed materials fall into the category of the former, and visual images, including film, fall under the latter. The Filson's online catalog, other online finding aids, and in-house finding aids allow the researcher to assess the potential of the collection regarding their topic and proceed accordingly.

Staff routinely answers queries regarding the collection. Emailed queries are preferred but calls are accepted. A limited amount of time can be devoted to answering queries. Please submit all research queries to  research@filsonhistorical.org.

Beginning January 1, 2010, the Special Collections department will close at 4PM on Tuesdays.

Broadside-Hunters of KY,1815

If you have business papers, personal papers, photographs, or other material that you would like to donate to or discuss with The Filson, please contact Curator of Special Collections James J. Holmberg by email or at (502) 634-8846. The Filson regularly adds to its collection and we are always happy to discuss possible acquisitions and answer questions.

The Filson Historical Society
1310 S. Third Street
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 635-5083