A large taxidermy moose head that once proudly decorated the popular Phoenix Hill Tavern here in Louisville has now recently taken up residence at the Frazier History Museum, also in the city.
The moose head, which was unveiled at the museum last Friday, May 17, was donated by Joe and Lee Kresovsky, who moved out of Louisville earlier in the year but felt the moose should remain in the city. The Kresovskys bought the moose in 2016 when items from the Phoenix Hill Tavern were up for auction.
Museums use a variety of signage options, including banner printing to inform the public of special exhibits, as well as directing them once they enter the museum.
The moose head, made of solid plaster and weighing 150lb, is now part of the “Cool Kentucky” exhibit at the Frazier in its “Entertaining Kentucky” gallery. It joins exhibit artifacts from Club Madrid, Jack Harlow, Teddy Bear Lounge, and the record store Ear X-tacy.
The Phoenix Hill Tavern opened in 1976 and the moose head was added to the décor sometime during the 1980s. The nightclub, located at the corner of Broadway and Baxter Avenue, closed abruptly in June 2015. Entertainers such as Meat Loaf, Tori Amos, and Blue Oyster Cult performed there over the decades.
The Phoenix’s owner also owned Jim Porter’s, which was eventually demolished after closing at around the same time.
