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In the heart of Old Louisville overlooking Central Park is the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, known as Louisville’s Castle. In the 1890’s, Theophile Conrad commissioned local architect Arthur Loomis of Clarke & Loomis to design this stone masterpiece. It is one of the finest examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in the world.
Conrad made his fortune in the tanning business, and owned the house for ten years. William Caldwell, who bought the home in 1908, started the Caldwell Tank Co. His company built and designed water towers. He invented a way to shape water towers into different objects like the giant bat at The Louisville Slugger Museum. Their home sits amongst one of the largest collections of Victorian houses in America.
When built in the mid 19th century, it had interior plumbing and electric lighting. House tour guides point out the seven types of hardwood flooring, most based on Kentucky quilt patterns. The exterior has elaborate Bedford limestone designs and gargoyles as well as magnificent stained-glass windows. The mansion contains many original artifacts and antiques from the family and time period. The grand staircase is breathtaking. It was hand-carved by European artisans who were originally brought to Louisville by the Southern Exposition of 1883. A room on the third floor has an exhibit of artifacts from Southern Exposition, Louisville’s World Fair. This event took place on the site of the home before it was built.
The house is open for tours Wednesday through Sunday, with tours starting at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, and 11:00 am on Saturday only. There is also an option for scheduling a private tour with a docent or an expert on one of their exhibits. . Descendents from the Caldwell family line are among the docents and offer a personal guide to their family home. The house is a great spot for more than learning about Louisville’s early history. It is available for wedding receptions and marriage ceremonies and is wheelchair accessible. The neighborhood is by Central Park and is just right for walking, especially during the St. James Art Fair. It is always rated one of the best outdoor art fairs in the United States.
Related Links
Conrad-Caldwell House Museum - http://www.conrad-caldwell.org
Conrad-Caldwell House Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/ConradCaldwellHouseMuseum
Old Louisville Neighborhood - http://oldlouisville.com
St. James Court Art Fair - http://www.stjamescourtartshow.com
July 4, 2023
