Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Filson Club / Home of Founder

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

1. The Filson Club / Home of Founder Marker

Inscription.
The Filson Club Named for John Filson, author of first history of Kentucky, “The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucke,” 1784. Founded by Col. Reuben T. Durrett. Formed in his home here May 15, 1884 by: Reuben T. Durrett, George M. Davie, John Mason Brown, Basil W. Duke, Thomas W. Bullitt, Alex P. Humphrey, William Chenault, James S. Pirtle, Richard H. Collins, Thomas Speed.

Home of Founder Home of Col. Reuben T. Durrett, 1876-1913. Founder of The Filson Club and author of its first publication, in 1884, “John Filson, the First Historian of Kentucky,” and the “Centenary of Kentucky,” 1892. Designed by Henry Whitestone, noted Kentucky architect. Built by Dr. Thomas Edward Wilson and his wife, Caroline Bullitt, after 1856. Later, The Home of the Innocents.

Erected 1969 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1229.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1884.

Location. 38°

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14.891′ N, 85° 45.086′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of East Chestnut Street and South Brook Street, on the right when traveling east on East Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 East Chestnut Street, Louisville KY 40202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Louisville Medical College (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scottish Rite Temple / Grand Consistory of Kentucky (about 500 feet away); St. Paul's German Evangelical Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Presbyterian Theological Seminary (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Neighborhood House" / Settlement Houses (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis D. Brandeis Home / Louis D. Brandeis (approx. ¼ mile away); Pendennis Club (approx. ¼ mile away); 50th Anniversary of the End of World War II (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . .
1. Reuben T. Durrett (Wikipedia). (Submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. History of the Filson Historical Society. From the organization's website. (Submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

2. The Filson Club / Home of Founder Marker

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

3. The Filson Club / Home of Founder Marker

Reuben T. Durrett image. Click for full size.

Public domain, 1908

4. Reuben T. Durrett

Public domain

5. John Filson

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.