By Dustin Yazell
History comes alive for those brave and daring enough to explore weaponry from the Medieval times through pre-modern times. The Frazier International History Museum admits U of L students for free with their student Cardinal ID.
The museum features historical facts dating all the way back to 1066. Here, students can catch a glimpse of the past and learn through interactive techniques.
The admission desk on the first floor is where students will start their self led guide through history. Audio and visual tours are the most common, and can last anywhere from two to three hours.
These tours have a color coded time line making it easy for visitors to find where they’re going. Using headphones and a remote, they are led throughout the three-floor building, each floor showcasing a different part of history. These tours have over 60 different interpretations with different audio and visual feeds every day.
On the third floor, Royal British Armory artifacts are the centerpiece. The museum is the only certified Royal British Armory museum in the United States, and the artifacts located inside are exchanged and updated every two years by the Royal British Armory who come all the way to Louisville for the exchange. Below, on the second floor, a tourist can find a wide array of guns, including several from Jesse James, the famous out law.
Museum exhibits include more than artifacts, however, circulating new displays regularly, such as the present dragon display. The dragon display is aimed at a younger crowd, but boasts interesting parts for all ages.
At this exhibit one can smell dragon’s breath, have a talking doll read dragon stories and facts and see the role of dragons in mythology and history. This exhibit closes on Sept. 4, with the last big showing on Sept. 1. Later this year, the museum plans to feature a Beatles and Elvis Presley exhibit, as well as a Norman Rockwell display, proving “that the museum is more than just guns,” said Lynnelle Claypool, Frazier marketing assistant.
Directors of the museum would like people to know that the museum sponsors more than just exhibits. Each night at the museum patrons can watch a daily sword fight from a different era in history. The museum participates in the city wide Trolley Hop on the first Friday of every month.
On this coming Friday’s hop, the museum will have a silent auction with certain pieces from the university baseball team as well as from other local baseball teams, and serve traditional “baseball food” like beer and cracker jacks.
