Dedication Ceremony for Visitor Center Scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, 2005 The Old Louisville Community Development Corporation (OLCDC) invites everyone to the opening of the Visitor Center at 218 West Oak Street. The Center’s primary purpose is to promote tourism in Old Louisville by providing information and literature on the historical and architectural heritage of the neighborhood and to facilitate tours, including audio walking tours. Business hours are planned from 9am to 5pm, Mondays through Saturdays. A combination of paid staff and volunteers will run the Center. The OLCDC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization formed to promote business in Old Louisville through services and fundraising. The board of directors is headed by Nick Sachs and includes Gary Kleier, Alan Bird, Ken Plotnik, Herb Warren, Nancy Woodcock and Don Driskell. The Old Louisville Chamber of Commerce is working closely with the OLCDC to promote tourism. Its tourism committee, headed by Ed Turley, is working on several projects: branding Old Louisville, raising Metro-Louisville’s Convention and Visitors Bureau awareness of the neighborhood as an historic tourist attraction, attracting a local bus tour business, developing a brochure touting area attractions, lodging and restaurants, and securing new signage on area interstates. (see related article on page 2) The Chamber will have offices in the Center, along with the OLCDC, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the CoAlliance of Business Associations and TourLouisvlle.com. For information on the Center and its dedication, call 502-737-2992 or www.HistoricOldLouisville.com.

Historic Preservation Tax Credits Are Part Of Tax Reform Law Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher signed a tax reform bill on March 18, 2005, which includes historic preservation tax credits for the restoration of qualified residential and commercial structures listed on the National Registry of Historic Places or located in an historic neighborhood such as Old Louisville. The total credit available is capped at $3 million annually, and the maximum credit allowed on behalf of each owner-occupied property is $60,000. The maximum credit that may be taken is 30% of costs for owner-occupied property and 20% of costs for all other property. The credits will be given for substantial rehabilitation of a certified historic structure. Substantial rehabilitation is defined as rehabilitation for which the expenses, during a 24 month period selected by the taxpayer, exceed $20,000 for an owner-occupied residential property. An application for credit must be submitted to the Kentucky Heritage Council within thirty days following the close of a calendar year. The council shall determine the amount of credit approved for each taxpayer and notify the taxpayer and the Revenue Cabinet of the approved credit amount. The tax bill will go into effect on or about June 20, 2005. The exact date will be decided on by the Attorney General. It will be effective for all tax years on or after January 1, 2005. For further information, access the bill at http://lrc.ky.gov/record/05rs/HB272.htm.  Read Section 150 and Section 151, pages 306 through 311.

Mail Order Homes…
Charles Scudder Donates Books to OLIC

The Old Louisville Information Center thanks Charles Scudder for his donation of three books on Victorian architecture.
The books, Victorian Architecture, Two Pattern Books by A.J. Bicknell and W. T. Comstock; Victorian Architectural Details, Two Pattern Books by Marcus Fayette Cummings, and Charles Crosby Miller; and The Palliser’s Late Victorian Architecture are reprints and facsimiles of books originally published in the late nineteenth century. The books feature Victorian architectural details, patterns, and floor plans.
The Palliser book was originally published to raise the level of popular taste and understanding of design and to create a method which would provide architectural services to anyone, regardless of means. Through these inexpensive, illustrated paperbacks, clients could select a design scheme and, for a fee, could submit information by mail about their lot size, lot orientation, and budget. In return the clients would receive sketches and ultimately a complete set of plans, details and specifications for use by a local builder. Thousands of buildings throughout the United States were designed and built in this manner. Numerous architects adopted the Palliser method of serving clients.
All three books provide a fascinating historical view of the architecture of the time and the ways in which it was promulgated, popularized and standardized. The books are available for perusal at the Old Louisville Information.

Visitor Center to Offer iPod Tours

In an ongoing effort to promote cultural tourism in Old Louisville, Alan Bird, President of the Old Louisville Chamber of Commerce, has announced that the newly-opened Visitor Center at 218 West Oak Street will offer walking and driving tours on iPod to tourists. Visitors will be able to rent/purchase iPods with informational, self-guided tours about the interesting architecture, colorful history and local legends associated with Old Louisville.
Bird has also acquired a 13-seat tour bus that will allow the center to offer guided tours of the neighborhood to smaller groups. The richly detailed tours, complete with sound effects and music, will focus on the “Mansions of Millionaire’s Row”, “Highlights of Old Louisville”, “Secrets of America’s Largest Victorian Neighborhood” and “Architectural Secrets of America’s Victorian Gem” among others.
Local writer David Domine will be scripting the tours, and Old Louisville actors Ron and Jane Harris will be recording the tours. If you have interesting information about your house or neighborhood that might be of interest to tourists in the area, and would like to be considered for inclusion on upcoming tours, please contact David Domine:davidram13@iglou.com or Alan Bird at alan@ud.net.

Parking Meters
Give Change
Well, sort of… The Parking Authority of River City, Inc. (PARC) has introduced the SmartCard, a prepaid card for use in the new parking meters being installed downtown and throughout the city. Motorists will no longer have to guess how much money to put in a parking meter. Simply insert the card and select the time in 20 minute intervals. If any time remains on the meter when leaving, reinsert the card and the remaining money will be refunded back to the SmartCard for later usage.
SmartCards can be purchased at PARC, 517 South Fourth Street. Call 502-634-3817 for further information.

Welcome Home, Chuck
Chuck Anderson, Old Louisville Neighborhood Council Chair, arrived back in Louisville on March 23, 2005, following surgery and hospitalization in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to complications from a ruptured appendix. Chuck and his wife, Sheela, were on a business-vacation trip when the illness occurred.
Chuck is recuperating at his home on Third Street.

Abramson Outlines Phone Book Recycling Program

Mayor Jerry Abramson urges Louisville residents and businesses to recycle their old phone books by taking advantage of special containers and drop-off sites provided by Louisville Metro Government.
All directories deposited will be recycled into mulch, roofing materials, newsprint, egg cartons and other products including new telephone directories. In 2004, more than 97 tons of old phone books were recycled in the Louisville area - about the weight of 18 adult female elephants.
“Recycling is an easy and effective step that all of us can take in reducing litter, and keeping our community clean,” Abramson said. “If businesses and residents had not taken the initiative to recycle last year, those 97 tons of phone books would have ended up in our landfill.”
Abramson said there are several options for recycling old phone books. Old Louisville residents can place their old phone books in their curbside recycling bins or take them to Engine Co. #16 at 1500 South Sixth Street.
To accommodate multiple copies, large recycling containers will be located at two sites: the parking lot of the Plainview Kroger, 9812 Linn Station Road, and the Metro Government parking lot located downtown at Jefferson and Liberty at Eighth and Ninth streets. Businesses with 25 or more phone books to recycle are urged to use these large containers, which will remain in place through May 1.
Residents and businesses with fewer than 25 copies can use one of Louisville Metro’s five staffed recycling centers, which are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m: Public Works - 595 Hubbards Lane; Southwest Government Center - 7219 Dixie Highway; Police Office - 9300 Whipps Mill Road; Central Government Center - 7201 Outer Loop; and Police Office - 10620 West Manslick Road.
Sponsors of the phone book recycling program include Kroger, Louisville Metro Government, Inland Service Corp., Waste Management of Kentucky, Inc., and BellSouth “The Real White Pages.”
For further information, call MetroCall at 311 or 574-5000.

April Events at the UofL School of Music

• Wednesday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m.
  Brass Chamber Music. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Thursday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m.
  University Jazz Ensemble II. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Sunday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m.
  Kentucky Center Chamber Players. Founded in 1982, the Kentucky Center Chamber Players perform in cooperation with the University of Louisville School of Music. The ensemble features faculty members Peter McHugh (violin), Kathleen Karr (flute), Dallas Tidwell (clarinet), Timothy Zavadil (clarinet), Bruce Heim (horn), and Matthew Karr bassoon). Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Sunday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.
  University Early Music Ensemble. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Monday, April 11 at 8:00 p.m.
  University Symphonic Band and Chorus. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Tuesday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m.
  University Jazz Ensemble I. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Tuesday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m.
  Contemporary Polish Piano Music. Malcolm Bird Recital Hall. Free.

• Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m.
  University Saxophone Studio Recital. Malcolm Bird Recital Hall. Free.

• Wednesday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m.
  Russell Hirshfeld, piano. Guest Recital. An active chamber pianist, Hirshfield has performed a wide repertory of works in recital around The United States and in South Africa. Dr. Hirshfield is Assistant Professor of Piano at Western Connecticut State University. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Thursday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m.
  University New Music Ensemble. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Friday, April 15 at 8:00 p.m.
  Cardinal Singers and University Chorale. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Saturday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m.
  Day of Percussion concert. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m.
  Chamber Music Society of Louisville presents the American Chamber Players. Their program will open with the Mozart Oboe Quartet and conclude with the Schumann Piano Quartet. Between will be works by Damase, Duruflé and Foote in trios each of varied instrumentation. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free pre-concert lecture at 2:00 p.m. in Malcolm Bird Recital Hall. Call 502-852-6907 for tickets ($25 general admission, $5 for students).

• Sunday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.
  University Wind Symphony and Orchestra. Featuring Grammy-winning professor Brett Shuster, trombone soloist. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Monday, April 18 at 8:00 p.m.
  University Concert and Community Bands. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.

• Monday, April 18 at 8:00 p.m.
  University String Chamber Ensembles. Malcolm Bird Recital Hall. Free.

• Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m.
  University Jazz Combos. Malcolm Bird Recital Hall. Free.

• Thursday, April 21 at 8:30 p.m.
  University Classical Guitar Ensemble. Malcolm Bird Recital Hall. Free.

• Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 p.m.
  The Louisville Orchestra with guest artists The Ahn Trio and guest conductor Gisèle Ben-Dor. This high-energy trio of sisters brings an imaginative, breathtaking virtuosity back to Louisville. Program highlights include Blue Cathedral by Jennifer Higdon, Kenji Bunch’s Hardware Concerto for piano trio and orchestra, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Tickets are $35; $10 tickets are available for students 20 minutes before curtain. Free pre-concert lecture in Malcolm Bird Recital Hall at 2:00 p.m. Call (502) 587-8681 for more information.

• Tuesday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m.
  Harry Pickens Trio, jazz. Margaret Comstock Concert Hall. Free.
   

Old Louisville Is About To Bloom

Derby and Mother’s Day are just around the corner. The Second Street Neighborhood Association (SSNA) will help you get ready when you purchase flowers at its 18th Annual Springtime Annual Bedding Sale on Saturday, April 30.
Shade-loving impatiens in white and 5 vibrant colors as well as other bedding plants from ageratum to zinnias will be available. The Wave is back this year in misty lilac, pink, and purple. Hanging baskets of double impatiens, wax begonias with vinca vines, or Boston ferns will be on sale along with sweet potato vines and geraniums in 4-inch pots.
Obtain a $2 per flat discount on standard flats when you order at least 5 standard flats.
Perennials from SSNA gardens will be on sale at bargain prices. Anyone wishing to donate perennials contact Jo Ann Lockhart at 636-1751 or jo-ann-lockhart@insightbb.com . Jo Ann also can help you with special requests not on the order form.
Pick up is Saturday, April 30 behind 127 W. Ormsby Street. A Friday afternoon pick up can be arranged by calling Jo Ann.
Purchases help beautify Old Louisville, and all profits go back into improving the neighborhood.
Click here for the ORDER FORM. Print, then save the top, and mail the bottom with your check to SSNA by April 22.

Wellspring Hosts Derby Preview Party

Wellspring will host the seventh annual Derby Preview Party at the Kentucky Derby Museum, 704 Central Avenue, on Thursday, April 28, 2005, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
This event will benefit Wellspring’s rehabilitative services and staff-supported housing programs for persons with severe and persistent mental illness. Wellspring operates 21 facilities throughout Jefferson and Shelby counties, of which three programs are in Old Louisville along with the administrative office.
Kentucky horse breeders and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey will serve as the honorary hosts. They recently were awarded top honors from the horse racing industry in receiving the Eclipse Award as Champion Owners and Male Turf Champion for their horse – Kitten’s Joy.
The event will feature food, drinks, silent and live auction of horse racing memorabilia, and a Derby-themed program. John Asher, Churchill Downs Vice President for Racing Communications, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Sportswriter and author Bill Doolittle will share his perspective on the contenders for the upcoming Derby and tips for making the best wagers.
Benefactor tickets for this event are $100 per person for reserved seating on the main floor. Patron tickets are $75 per person for open seating on the second floor level. Tickets can be purchased by calling (502) 637-4361, ext. 12, or via e-mail at bukszar@wellspring-house.org. More information available via the web site,
www.wellspring-house.org.

 Collegiate Honors Jane La Pin as Distinguished Alumna

Jane La Pin received the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Louisville Collegiate School at a ceremony and luncheon at the school on March 19, 2005.
Jane, a member of the class of 1938, has been a lifelong activist, focusing on urban issues and working to eliminate discrimination in the community. She continues her activities to this day, serving in her seventh year as a board member of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council representing Treyton Oak Towers. Jane fell and broke her hip last fall; she also had her gall bladder removed. Jane reports that she is on the mend and is determined to resume her walks through the neighborhood as soon as possible.
Jane credits the League of Women Voters for encouraging her activism. After graduation from collegiate, Jane met 1940s League President, Mrs. Rudy Vogt. “She set a wonderful example. She was a mother, community leader, and activist. She was in charge of the organization that really caught my attention and where I leaned most of what I know about government and politics,” said Jane. As President of the Louisville League in 1957, Jane was invited to the White House Rose Garden where President Dwight Eisenhower addressed her and other League members.
Jane graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1942 with an English degree. She entered the military as a member of the Women’s Army Corps, which provided staff support to the Air Force. She was a military recruiter in New York City and a personnel administrator in Virginia and Madison, Wisconsin, where she met her husband, Ted L. La Pin, who was also in the military. Her husband passed away in 1989.
Jane and Ted settled in Appleton, Wisconsin. The couple had three children, Deirdre, John, and Frank. Jane worked as an English teacher and guidance counselor and received a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Upon moving back to Louisville in 1979, Jane joined the Louisville Housing Authority, the Louisville and Jefferson County Human Relations Commission and the Louisville Community Design Center Board (LCDC).
Jack Trawick, Executive Director of LCDC, introduced Jane at the ceremony. He praised her work with the organization’s Neighborhood Institute, which is a leadership program within LCDC that helps neighborhood leaders and organizations to build strong neighborhoods. Jane has known Jack for all of his life; she worked with his mother in the League of Women Voters before he was born. Speaking of the League in those years, Jack says, “They were a powerful, smart civic group of women.” He notes that Jane and the League were proponents of city/county merger in 1956.
Jack continued, “Through individuals like Jane, ideas are born. Jane is an example of the type of person who has vision, patience and the tenacity to bring about significant change. She reminds us of a time we should all long for when people were involved and disagreed for a reason and not for style. She worked with all political parties in order to promote civic dialogue.”

 

Local Historian to Discuss Story of
Two German Immigrant Soldiers in the Civil War

Author and local historian Joseph Reinhart will discuss his book, “Two Germans in the Civil War: The Diary of John Dauble and the Letters of Gottfried Rentschler, 6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry” at The Filson Historical Society on Friday, April 8, at noon. Reinhart’s book provides a look into the life of the average soldier in the western theatre and also highlights the differences between German-American and Anglo-American soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
Dauble and Rentschler, who joined the 6th Kentucky in Louisville, describe their experiences
from the perspective of “Dutch” soldiers as well as chronicle the military actions of their regiment. Sergeant Dauble’s diary and Private Rentschler’s letters cover the battles around Chattanooga, four months of campaigning in East Tennessee, and the Atlanta campaign.
More than one third of the soldiers in the 6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry came from Germany.
Although around 200,000 German immigrants served in the Union army, stereotypes abounded as to their lack of patriotism and courage. Originally written in German, Dauble’s diary and Rentschler’s letters help to counter these stereotypes. These documents are important additions to the Civil War literature because they help fill voids created by an almost complete lack of published sources from Kentucky’s Union soldiers and by the shortage of primary materials about German immigrants who fought in the war.
Joseph Reinhart is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books and is editor and translator of the forthcoming work entitled “August Willich’s Gallant Dutchmen: Civil War Letters from the 32nd Indiana Infantry.”
Reinhart’s book will be available for purchase following his talk. The lecture is free and open to
the public. Reservations are requested. Call The Filson at (502) 635-5083 for reservations and more information.

 

Conrad-Caldwell House Museum
Presents Antiques Lecture

Some questions seem to come up repeatedly in the world of collecting antiques. How old is old enough to be an antique? What is considered a collectible? How can I find values for my collectibles? How can I tell if a piece is a reproduction?
Answers to these questions will be provided by Kenneth Hays in his lecture entitled “American
Decorative Arts and Furniture: Colonial to Victorian” on Sunday, April 17, 2005, at 2:00pm in Haskins Hall at the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, 1402 St. James Court. Admission is free for museum members. For non-members the fee is $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Refreshments will be served.
Kenneth Hays is president of Hays and Associates, an antique and appraisal company that has conducted antique auctions for over thirty years. The firm specializes in period furniture, silver, porcelain, antique dolls and toys, automated musical instruments, and objects d’art. Hays is Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers and past president of the Kentucky chapter of the society. He has served as an appraiser for the PBS series ”Antiques Roadshow.”
Museum members are asked to call for reservations, as seating will be limited. Non-members should mail checks to the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum; the zip code is 40208.
For more information, call 502-636-5023 or e-mail info@conradcaldwell.org.

 

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Old Louisville Information Center
1340 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40208.
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E-mail: olnc@bellsouth.net
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Please submit “Letters to the Editor” to the above address.
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