New Monthly History Series at Waterfront Park PlayPort

Waterfront Park is launching a new monthly history series at PlayPort, closely located to both the Portland and Russell neighborhoods, right on the site of Jefferson County’s first settlement, Fort-on-Shore. Led by local historian Rick Bell, each session in the series explores a different topic related to the people, places, and events that shaped the city’s early history.

Topics will include the founding of Corn Island, the creation of the Louisville-Portland Canal, the Great Flood of 1937, profiles on notable local figures, and storytelling around the development of our city’s waterfront from wasteland to a beloved community greenspace. Special attention will be given to the history of the Portland and Russell neighborhoods that surround PlayPort, the new experiential learning and play area. Each lecture runs approximately 90 minutes and includes a visual presentation and time for audience questions. Whether you’re a lifelong history buff or just newly curious, this series celebrates Louisville’s rich past while honoring the neighborhoods that helped shape it.

History lectures are free to attend, the favor of registration is requested. Click HERE to register.

Rick Bell History Lecture Series Tentative Schedule 

Sunday, October 12, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm

It all began here…  PlayPort is located at the site of Fort-on-Shore, the first buildings erected in Louisville. It is just offshore from Corn Island, where the earliest settlers landed and built a stockade. George Rogers Clark led his Illinois Regiment against the British forts from this location.

Sunday, November 9, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm

Below the Falls – We will discuss the founding of Portland, Shippingport and New Albany and the individuals who envisioned town building below the Falls of the Ohio.

Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm

C. Lee Cook – the genius from Portland – one of the most remarkable people in history, he overcame profound physical disabilities to invent mechanical devices that changed society and made him a wealthy man. He started his career from his home at 29th and Bank Streets in Portland.

Sunday, January 11, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

Louisville in the 1940s – historic photographs tell the story of Louisville during and after World War II. They display a vibrant downtown, shopping opportunities and fascinating individuals.

Sunday, February 8, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

The Great Flood of 1937 in Louisville – remembered as the greatest natural disaster in American history, this event impacted Louisville harder than anywhere else in the entire Ohio River valley. Over 175,000 people evacuated their homes and overcame challenges with ingenuity and courage.

Sunday, March 8, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

Big Jim Porter, the Kentucky Giant – James D. Porter became internationally famous after being interviewed by Charles Dickens. At 7’9” tall, he maintained a famous tavern at his home in Shippingport and was actively involved in local politics.

Sunday, April 12, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

Bridges of Louisville – “The River City” boasts an array of bridges spanning local streams, creeks and the Ohio River. Railroad, automobile and walking bridges, including the renovated Big Four Bridge, tell of progress and challenges to the city.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

The Louisville and Portland Canal – Built from 1825 until 1830, the canal revolutionized river traffic and commerce in the Ohio Valley. A triumph of engineering, digging the canal brought thousands of Irish immigrants to Portland and changed the state of transportation in America.

Sunday, June 14, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

Photos from the Herald-Post – 1925-1936 – This newspaper, a Republican opponent of the Courier-Journal, featured powerful images of local buildings and people. This era saw the development of Fourth Street entertainment, industrial development and a changing population.

Sunday, July 12, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

Louisville Waterfront and the story of the Park – PlayPort is part of the award-winning Waterfront Park, which for the past thirty years has opened access to our riverbanks. We will trace the early history of the Louisville waterfront and how it became a beloved public park.

Sunday, August 9, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

Transportation history of Louisville – Louisville is a crossroads of American commerce and industry. We will discuss the rise of steamboats, railroads and highways and their impact on this community over time.

Sunday, September 13, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm

Prohibition in Louisville – No community in America was more negatively impacted by the Prohibition era (1922-1933). Twenty-five distilleries, fifteen breweries and countless saloons went out of business, leaving 10,000 Louisvillians out of work, and speakeasies and bootleggers raised the crime rate. This schedule and topics are subject to change. 

History lectures are free to attend, and held at the PlayPort event building at 1105 Rowan Street, Louisville, KY 40203. Click HERE to register.

This is a Waterfront Park hosted event. Waterfront Park is a donor supported public park. Your donations help make events like this possible – SUPPORT