The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History - 114 North 5th Street, Bardstown, Kentucky, 40004
Amenities
Event Space
Free Parking
Nat'l Historic Site
Tours
About

The Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History and the Bardstown Historical Museum are located in Spalding Hall in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World. The museum officially changed its name from ‘The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History’ in 2023.

The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History displays a 50-year collection of rare whiskey artifacts and documents concerning the American whiskey industry dating from pre-Colonial days to post-Prohibition years to today.

The museum includes exhibits on President Washington (our nation’s first President to own a distillery), Abraham Lincoln (who also owned a liquor license), authentic moonshine stills, antique bottles and jugs, medicinal whiskey bottles, unique advertising art, novelty whiskey containers, and much more.

The Bardstown Historical Museum contains items relating to 200 years of area history. You will find Indian relics, Lincoln documents, pioneer papers, John Fitch land grant, a replica of his first steamboat, Stephen Foster memorabilia, a Trappist monks’ exhibit (think Thomas Merton), gifts of Louis Phillippe and Charles X of France, Civil War artifacts and guerrilla fighter Jesse James hat and wine bottle, St. Joe Preparatory School mementos and more.

The museum is located on the first floor of Spalding Hall (circa 1826) which first served as St. Joseph College and Seminary, then as a hospital for both North and South during the Civil War. The Sisters of Charity ran an orphanage for boys around the turn of the century in the building. Finally, the Xaverian Brothers established St. Joe Preparatory School (1911-1968).

Guided tours are available. Classrooms and teachers welcome!

We are handicapped accessible, with elevator access.

Directions
Opening Hours
Tuesday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Photo Gallery
Nearby Distilleries
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Kentucky Bourbon Festival
114 North Fifth Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.01 mi
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Log Still Distillery
225 Dee Head Rd, New Haven, Kentucky 40051 11.93 mi
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Boundary Oak Distillery
2000 Boundary Oak Drive, Radcliff, Kentucky 40160 24.06 mi
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Copper and Kings American Brandy Company
1121 East Washington Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40206 33.91 mi
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Mint Julep Experiences
210 W Liberty St., Louisville, Kentucky 40202 34.19 mi
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Old Forester Distillery
119 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 34.39 mi
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Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery
801 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 34.72 mi
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Coalition Whiskey
6230 Old Lagrange Road, Crestwood, Kentucky 40014 36.29 mi
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Wilderness Trail Distillery
4095 Lebanon Road, Danville, Kentucky 40422 37.58 mi
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Woodford Reserve Distillery
7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles, Kentucky 40383 41.46 mi
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Huber's Starlight Distillery
19816 Huber Road, Borden, Indiana 47106 49.05 mi
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Town Branch Distillery
401 Cross Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508 54.92 mi
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Boone County Distilling
10601 Toebben Drive, Florence, Kentucky 41051 65.56 mi
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Neeley Family Distillery
4360 Kentucky 1130, Sparta, Kentucky 41086 68.14 mi
Bourbon Capital Guild
114 N Fifth St, 3rd Floor Penthouse, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.01 mi
BourbonTown Tours
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Barton 1792 Distillery
300 Barton Road, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.58 mi
CopperTop Tours
129 W John Rowan Blvd, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 1.06 mi
Heaven Hill Springs Distillery
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Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience
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Nearby Restaurants, Bars, Hotels & Pts. of Interest
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The Bar at Fort Nelson
801 W Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 34.72 mi
The Rickhouse Restaurant & Lounge
Spalding Hall, 112 Xavier Dr, Bardstown, Kentucky 4004 0.03 mi
Hadorn's Bakery
118 W Flaget St, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.16 mi
Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. and Restaurant
112 W. Flaget St., Bardstown, Kentucky 4004 0.18 mi
Mammy's Kitchen & Bar
116 W Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.19 mi
Xavier's Pub
169 Mulberry Alley, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.2 mi
Jailer's Inn
111 W. Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.21 mi
Meri Merlo
118 N. 3rd Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.22 mi
Bullitt's Winery & Bistro
122 N 3rd Steet, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.22 mi
Talbott Inn
101 W. Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.22 mi
Old Talbott Tavern
107 West Stephen Foster, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.23 mi
The Blind Pig Bourbon Market
212 N 3rd St, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.23 mi
Bardstown Burger
126 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.23 mi
Third Street Tap House
112 N 3rd St, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.23 mi
Hurst Drug Store Soda Fountain
102 N. Third St., Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.24 mi
Around The Town Carriage
223 North 3rd Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.27 mi
The Blind Pig Bourbon Speakeasy
107 East Flaget Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.28 mi
The Volstead Bourbon Lounge
107 E Flaget St, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.28 mi
Harrison-Smith House
103 E Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.28 mi
The Blind Pig Bourbon Bed & Breakfast
110 East Broadway Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 0.33 mi