Please arrive by 10:50AM!
The Portland Museum, a cornerstone of cultural heritage and education in Louisville’s West End, is set to break ground on its latest project: AHOY – Adventure House of You. This innovative children’s museum, slated to begin construction in 2025, represents a significant step forward for the Portland neighborhood and a new chapter in the museum’s mission to serve the community.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Details
The groundbreaking ceremony for AHOY will take place on Saturday, October 5th at 10:50 AM at the Portland Museum’s campus, located
at 2308 Portland Avenue. This event is open to the public and promises to be a festive occasion celebrating hope, progress, and community spirit. Attendees can look forward to:
- Live Music from the Louisville Leopard Percussionists
- Exclusive Free Tote Bags
- Family-Friendly Activities
- A Community Gathering to Remember!
This exciting ceremony will take place just ahead of the Portland Art & Heritage Fair, our annual event to showcase the rich cultural heritage and artistic talent of the Portland neighborhood. The fair will feature local artists, craftspeople, and heritage exhibits, making it a perfect complement to the AHOY groundbreaking.
A Collaborative Vision Shaped by the Community
The creation of AHOY is the result of a collaborative effort between the museum’s leadership, local professionals, and the broader community. Danny Seim, the museum’s AHOY Children’s Museum Director, and Katy Delahanty, the Executive Director, have worked closely to bring this ambitious project to life, ensuring that it reflects the values and aspirations of the Portland neighborhood. A key contributor to the museum’s design has been the Catfish Club, a group of West End youth, particularly from the Portland neighborhood. These young minds have played a pivotal role in shaping the concepts for AHOY, providing valuable insights that ensure the museum resonates with children in the community. By involving these youth in the design process, AHOY is being crafted as a space that truly belongs to the next generation. “We wanted AHOY to be a museum for children, by children, which is why input from
local kids has been so essential,” Seim explained. “Their ideas have helped us create a place that is not only fun but also deeply connected to the community it serves.”
This collaborative spirit extends to the museum’s leadership and advisory teams. AHOY is supported by an amazing board and a dedicated committee of Portland residents and professionals alike, all of whom are passionate about bringing this vision to life. The museum’s board leadership includes President Kacie Chase, Vice President Ed White, Treasurer Wes Vance, Secretary Caroline Berhle, and Member at
Large Tad Myre, with additional help from William Smith and Shannon Delahanty. Their diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to the community have been instrumental in guiding the project’s development.
Building on a Strong Foundation
After graduating from Cooper Union in NYC, Delahanty returned to Portland, where she purchased and renovated a home, immersing
herself in the neighborhood’s rich history. Her dedication to social justice and community development has earned her recognition as a changemaker by The Louisville Defender, and her artistic talents were highlighted when she was shortlisted by Creative Capital’s Artists in 2022. Together, Delahanty and Seim have been instrumental in raising over $2 million for the museum’s capital campaign, which is crucial for the development of the new immersive play space of the AHOY project.
Adding to the museum’s educational offerings, the Lighthouse Education Center has already been completed, further enriching the Portland Museum’s impact on the community. This center is home to Squallis Puppeteers, an invaluable part of Louisville’s cultural landscape with a 27-year history of providing creative programming to tens of thousands of children and families.
A Museum for the Next Generation
The AHOY project is being developed in four phases, with an estimated total cost of $4 million. The first phase, set to open in 2024, will involve the transformation of the Victorian house into the core of AHOY, complete with a glass atrium connecting it to the Portland Museum. Subsequent phases will expand the museum’s offerings, including an outdoor play yard, a small event center, and additional educational spaces. Through the involvement of the
Catfish Club and the guidance of the museum’s board and committees, AHOY is being designed to reflect the needs and dreams of the community’s youngest members. This approach ensures that AHOY will be a space where children feel a sense of ownership and pride, and where they can engage in creative and educational activities that resonate with their lives and experiences.
“The opportunity for children in west Louisville to have easy access to a creative space where they can dream and explore is vital,” says Kacie Chase, President of the Portland Museum board, “AHOY will not only provide this space but will also offer a new way for people across Louisville to connect with the rich history and vibrant future of the West End.”
The groundbreaking ceremony for AHOY is not just the start of construction; it is a celebration of hope, progress, and the power of community collaboration.
For more information, to RSVP for the groundbreaking ceremony, to get involved or contribute to the campaign, please explore of this site or email Katy directly at: katy.delahanty@portlandky.org
THANK YOU
Please be sure to support our wonderful sponsors!
Richard Meadows & Suzi Bernert
In Memory of Edward K. Meadows