LOUISVILLE GUIDE
WELCOME TO LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Though shorter than skyscrapers, the Muhammad Ali Center towers over downtown Louisville. More than a boxing museum, the values, influence and remarkable life of
the most recognizable man in the world unfold in a waterfront complex ... More
CULTURAL SITES
Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is rising among a cluster of
renovated buildings at Muhammad Ali Boulevard and 18th Street. For decades the
city's streetcars and buses, were repaired and stored here ... More
RESTAURANTS and NIGHTCLUBS
Café Kilimanjaro, The Jazz Factory, Jay's Café, Expressions of You
and several more nightclubs and restaurants make for fond memories and
nice weekend getaways in Louisville ... More
SHOPS and GALLERIES
Ed Hamilton Studios by the sculptor known for his monuments of York,
Black Civil War Soldiers, Booker T. Washington at Hampton University,
Joe Louis, and the Amistad Memorial ... More
BLACK GENESIS
Although St. Louis claims to be the starting point of the great Western Expedition, explorers Lewis & Clark began their expedition actually began in Louisville where
they chose York to be their slave guide in 1803 ... More
MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER
PRESENTS THE LIFE OF A HERO
MAC is the definitive repository of Ali’s biographical materials. A Louisville native,
Ali's backstory is covered from his roots, to his boxing career, his societal
and religious convictions, stand against the unjust Vietnam War,
and global humanitarianism ... More
SPEED PLANTATION
A MIXED PATH TO FREEDOM
Farmington Home was built from a plan by Thomas Jefferson and completed in
1816 for John and Lucy Speed, wealthy hemp plantation owners.
Every part of the enterprise was made profitable by the labor of slaves who
were also frequently hired out to neighboring plantations ... More
BLACK JOCKEYS
When Thoroughbred Racing was in its infancy, most great jockeys were
African American. In the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, 14 of 15 were Black jockeys.
15 of the first 28 Derby races were won by Black jockeys ... More
HISTORIC SITES
From York Monument to Russell District to I. Willis Cole Residence to Columbia Gym
where Cassius Clay trained to Central High Scool to Farmington Historic Home
and more, Louisville is loaded with Black history sites ... More
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
Louisville Slugger Museum, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville Science Center,
Louisville Zoo, Louisville Waterfront Park, Louisville Slugger Field ... More
GENERAL ATTRACTIONS
Kentucky Center for the Arts is more than a premier performance venue,
it also has an appreciation for Black Heritage.
In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, "The Midnight Ramble" ... More
ART and HISTORY MUSEUMS
Kentucky Derby Museum, Frazier Historical Arms Museum, Speed Art Museum,
Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft and International Museum of the Horse ... More
TRIVIA and FAMOUS RESIDENTS
Located on the banks of the Ohio River southeast of Chicago, east of St. Louis,
northwest of Atlanta, and west of Philadelphia, Louisville is one of
the most accessible cities in the country ... More
RESEARCH CREDITS:
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Thomas Dorsey
Calvin Young
Sheila Umolu