Filson Research Tools
→ The Online Catalog (PAC) contains a main entry descripton for the Filson's Library and Special Collections. For tips on how to search this Public Access Catalog, please refer to our PAC tip sheet.
→ The Virtual Card Catalog (VCC) allows researchers to search a digitized version of The Filson's traditional card catalog. The VCC is comprised of approximately 50,000 catalog cards and contains item-level information about manuscript collections.
→ Lincoln's Kentucky is an online resource exploring the connection between the Bluegrass State and Abraham Lincoln. The Filson's rich historical collection illustrates Lincoln's continuing relationship with Kentucky.
→ Lewis and Clark in Kentucky is a special web exhibit dedicated to exploring the legacy of Kentucky people, places, and connections regarding the journey of the Corps of Discovery. Created during the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, the website draws on a variety of sources, including The Filson's own nationally significant Lewis and Clark collection to present the Kentucky ties to the epic expedition.
→ Kentucky Online Arts Resource (KOAR) is an image databse documenting Kentucky's decorative arts, fine arts, folk arts, and design. Created by the Speed Museum and supplemented by partnering institutions such as The Filson, the database displays images of furniture, silver, ceramics, glass, textiles, paintings, sculpture, and other types of objects made or used by Kentuckians.
→ First American West: The Ohio River Valley, 1750-1820 (FAW) consists of digitized original historical material documenting the land, peoples, exploration, and transformation of the trans-Appalachian West. The collection is drawn from the holdings of both the University of Chicago and The Filson and includes books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, scientific publications, broadsides, letters, journals, legal documents, ledgers and other financial records, maps, physical artifacts, and pictorial images.
→ The general Sheet Music Index allows researcher to search for individual pieces of music. The music is indexed by song title, composer, publisher, date, or lithographer/engraver/printer. To search the index using a keyword, simultaneously press the "control" and "F" keys on the keyboard to prompt a search bar. The index to the Walter Barney Sheet Music Collection may be accessed in the same way.
→ The Theater Program Index is a guide to the Filson's theater program collection. The bulk of the collection represents Louisville venues. The programs are arranged alphabetically by venue, with exception to venues outside of Louisville, in which case they are arranged by city name or state.
→The Guide to Selected Manuscript and Photograph Collections of the Filson Historical Society was compiled in 1996. The guide describes a selection of collections which are historically significant and/or representative examples of The Filson's holdings. Depending upon the nature of the collection, the description provides either an overview or is quite detailed. For a more complete listing of collections, see the online catalog.
