Louisville Slugger Museum - Louisville, Kentucky - Baseball Museum Teaches Principles of Bat Making

In 1996 the Louisville Slugger Museum opened in downtown Louisville on Main Street. One year later the Museum moved to its present location which just a few blocks from where, in 1875, J.F. Hillerich had his factory that would later produce its first baseball bats.

Outside the building, what is billed as the world's tallest bat leans upon the 5 story structure rising at least 1.5 stories above the roof of the museum and bat factory. The museum is located at 800 West Main Street at 8th in Louisville, Kentucky.

On its tenth anniversary the Museum changed its name from "Museum'' to "Museum and Factory'' to better represent the experience that awaits visitors. While the museum displays what is said to be the world's oldest baseball glove and other exhibits of baseball memorabilia, it also takes visitors through the production process of the famous baseball bat used by the major leaguers.

In the first 5 years of existence over one million people had entered the doors of the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. The greatest baseball players have been swinging the Louisville Slugger since 1884. Bats used by the likes of Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio are among those featured in the museum's exhibits.

Visitors should plan on approximately 2 hours for their stay, bearing in mind that on Sundays and holidays there is no bat production under way. Furthermore production is based on factory needs, thus there may or may not be bat-making at the time of a visit.

Even when bats are not under production visitors will still witness the production process through videos recorded for that purpose.

Guided tours begin at 9:00 AM and the last tour begins 25 minutes prior to closing. At the end of the tour miniature Louisville slugger bats are given as a souvenir to all visitors. The museum is wheelchair accessible and listening devices are available upon request as well as closed captions for the video portions of the tour.

The museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM on Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 pm on Sunday. From July 1 through August 16 hours are extended until 6 PM.

Children under six years of age enter free of charge.

Upon arrival personalized bats may be ordered which will be available upon departure or can be ordered and shipped to their destinations.

A parking garage operated by the city of Louisville is located directly behind the museum.

Group packages for 20 or more people are available for visitors geared toward specific teams upon advance request. Packages can also be arranged to include other local attractions as well as on site dining.

Private parties and meetings can also be arranged in advance at the museum.

Varied memorabilia is available in the museum gift shop for visiting baseball fans.