History of the Parkland Neighborhood

Browse Exhibits (20 total)

Historic Main Street

This exhibit will show how during the Revitilization process Historic Main Street underwent in the twentieth century, the Carter Dry Goods Co. remained an anchor even through it's transformation into the Louisville Science Center.

Economic Revitalization of Main Street

Louisville's urban core underwent an impressive change between the 1970s and now. During the 1960s Main Street was largely vacant. Urban sprawl drew commerce, industry, and people away from the center and towards the suburban developments ringing the city. Beginning in the 1970s groups of individuals, and organizations saught to revitalize West Main Street. Today their success is evident. By contrasting images taken decades apart, this small exhibit hopes to highlight some of the more important buildings that have helped make Main Street the culturally vibrant place it is today.

Louisville's 1937 Flood Story

The Digital History as Public History class (Hist 510/612) at the University of Louisville had the opportunity to work with oral histories conducted by the Main Street Association.  Susan Foley helped lead the Main Street Association's effort to collect oral histories from the current and previous owners of buildings on Main Street.  These oral histories included information about the buildings, life and business as part of a revitalization effort of Main Street. Ellis and Lloyd took the 1937 Flood, a topic that was mentioned multiple times in the 40 plus interview, and made a podcasts.  This podcast told the story of the 1937 Flood through those oral histories. This Omeka exhibit is an extension of that project and is the same story presented in a different form of digital media.

There and Back Again: A Louisville Slugger Tale

This exhibit will explore the location changes of the famed Louisville Slugger baseball bat from 1884 to today. The production of the Louisville Slugger began near Main Street at a woodworking shop. The production of the bat moved several times due to the popularity and growing demand for the brand. Eventually, the baseball bat production returned to Main Street near its original location in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. 

Created by Whitney Todd

 

The Belvedere and Urban Renewal

Using public spaces like the Belvedere or cultural institutions such as museums as anchors to encourage urban renewal and new development in cities is a long standing tradition. By improving a small area at public expense, cities encourage not only interest in public projects but, private interests to either begin a new project or reinvest in their existing property. The Belvedere and Plaza in Louisville, Kentucky is one such project. Completed in 1972, it renewed interest in Riverfront development and improvements. Now a part of Louisville’s Waterfront Park and overseen by the Waterfront Development Corporation (created in 1986 to oversee the redevelopment of the waterfront) the Belvedere hosts a number of community events each year and is still a vital part of Main Street revitalization efforts. No longer is it a lone spot of green space in an industrial landscape, the Belvedere and Plaza are a thriving part of the waterfront parks making national and international waves for their innovation and community involvement.

Haymarket

The Haymarket was an outdoor food bazaar located in downtown Louisville, flanked by Jefferson, Brook, Liberty, and Floyd streets. This exhibit explores the market and its role in creating and nurturing community in downtown Louisville. 

Jewish Business on Main Street Louisville

As a part of Dr.  Lara Kelland's Digital History class at the University of Louisville, I was given the opportunity to interact with the Main Street Association.  Their oral histories provided our class with the opportunity to create projects throughout our semester.  With the help of Mrs.  Susan Foley, our class utilized the oral histories and created multiple exhibits that documented the adaptation of Main Street Louisville.  Contuning the theme from my podcast, I took the oral histories from the Jewish Community and created this Omeka exhibit which visually documents their transition through the ages.   

Sense of Community/Neighborhood

The local business owners along Main Street not only worked alongside each other, but grew to think of themselves as business neighborhood and family unit.  Each business depended upon the growth and success of the surrounding businesses, thus interweaving a collection neighborhood attitude and spirit.

Heritage Weekends

Heritage Weekends were a series of festivals held each weekend for several summers during the 1970s and 1980s.  Each event, held on the Belvedere in dowtown Lousville, Kentucky, featured music, dancing, food, arts and crafts, and other cultural demonstrations of a particular ethnic group.  The Heritage Weekends celebrated the history, diversity, and collective talent of Louisville and its citizens, and now hold a unique place in the city's rich history.

Carter Dry Goods Co. as an Anchor for The Main Street Revitalization

This exhibit will display the Carter Dry Goods Co. as an Anchor for the Main St revitilization of the Twentieth Centery