Another highlight of the renovation is a 200-square-feet space for temporary exhibits. Kicking off in the space is West Main’s Marvel: The Big Bat. In the new exhibit, guests discover the story of H&B’s move to West Main in 1995, the installation of the iconic Big Bat, and the impact the museum has had on the development of downtown Louisville.
H&B plans to renovate the museum store in the near future, as well as continue to build within the 800 Main campus it has occupied since 1995.
“One of our main goals is to build out the H&B campus to be a premier entertainment center that currently includes Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, our bourbon attraction Barrels & Billets, and event spaces,” said John Hillerich, CEO of Hillerich & Bradsby Co. “The 800 block of West Main will only become more appealing for people in the city with the excitement in our facility, as well as across the street when The Dream hotel is completed.”
The gallery renovation was designed by JRA - Part of RWS Entertainment Group of Cincinnati with Louisville’s Schaefer Construction serving as the general contractor for the build-out. Fabrication was done by 1220 Exhibits of Nashville, Tennessee.
The museum will host a Gallery Unveiling Event on Wednesday, April 5th, 10:00 am. Representatives of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory will give remarks and a new Bat Vault model will be added to the collection in honor of the ceremony. Members of the Hillerich family will be on-site signing mini-bats. The first 500 guests that take the museum tour will receive a limited-edition mini-bat and a pennant to commemorate the event. Other entertainment will be occurring throughout the day including food trucks, an appearance by Buddy Bat of the Louisville Bats, and a balloon artist.