Photo: Tudor Gallery

Displays in the “Tudor” Gallery, Third Floor. Photograph by Power Creative. Courtesy of The Frazier Historical Arms Museum, and the Trustees of the Royal Armouries.

In connection with the August membership meeting, the Kentuckiana Chapter of the Safari Club International took a guided tour of the brand new Frazier Historical Arms Museum, which opened to the public this past May at the corner of 9th and Main Streets in Downtown Louisville. The Frazier presents a timeline of 1000 years of history beginning in Medieval Britain and ending in early twentieth century America with the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, the great sportsman and pioneer of environmental conservation. Through a unique alliance with the British Royal Armories the Frazier Museum brings to our region remarkable artifacts that were once housed at the Tower of London. With this alliance the Frazier tells the complete American story, starting with our roots in Europe.
Discussions throughout the galleries ranged from cutting edge developments in armor technology in medieval Europe and how armor mimicked fashion, to the target shooting and sports hunting traditions in North America. The group also learned about the transition from heavily armored knights with swords and shields of the 15th century to the unarmored ranks of soldiers with muskets in the 18th century, as seen in the American Revolutionary War.

Photo: Bigstick

Holland & Holland Royal Grade Double Rifle, presented to Theodore Roosevelt, 1909. English (London). Photograph by John Fitzgerald. Courtesy of The Frazier Historical Arms Museum.

The Safari Club members had the opportunity to see first hand the wide variety of incredible artifacts that once belonged to famous politicians and celebrities; noted frontiersmen and soldiers. This unique collection includes the "Big Stick" Holland and Holland hunting rifle which President Theodore Roosevelt took on safari to Africa, the family bible of legendary pioneer Daniel Boone, the bow attributed to the great Apache warrior Geronimo, the ceremonial sword of Founding Father Josiah Bartlett, and the ivory-handled Colt pistols of General George Armstrong Custer. And, this winter George Washington's hunting long rifle will finally be on permanent public display, only at the Frazier Museum!

Photo: FHAM 2001 33

Unknown artist, American, before 1909, Portrait of President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919). Courtesy of The Frazier Historical Arms Museum.

The Frazier brings history to life in a way that is exciting, fun, and accessible to everyone. It is a great place for families, school children, hunters, sportsmen, collectors, and history enthusiasts. At the Frazier Museum, live costumed interpreters make history come alive with a variety of performances daily. Programs include the stories of Annie Oakley and Clara Barton plus demonstrations of historical sword combat technique. The museum has highly trained docents and guides who help visitors appreciate what life was like in centuries past. Life-sized dioramas and tableaux sculptures ignite the imagination through illustration of specific snapshots in history and interactive multimedia films and displays entertain all ages and provide in depth detail about each gallery.
A number of your fellow SCI members have already shown their support for this exciting new project. To learn more about the Frazier and how to get involved as a charter member or sponsor please call Matt Randy, Frazier Museum Manager of Membership Services at (502-753-1044), email membership@frazierarmsmuseum.org, or visit http://www.frazierarmsmuseum.org/.