September 19, 2023

Today’s Forecast

82º | Scattered thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:35 a.m. | Sunset 7:32 p.m.

Now this is what you call an upgrade

The first floor common area boasts a restored sailing ship motif, vaulted ceilings, and over 10 kinds of tile. | Photo by Jeremy Blum

For over 40 years the historic Gaffney House on River Road sat empty, deteriorating, and vulnerable to illegal parties, according to some locals.

But in 2020, area resident Dr. Galen Weiss purchased the early 20th century home built by prominent Louisville architect James J. Gaffney. With the help of WorK Architecture + Design and Wilkinson Builders Inc., they resurrected the landmark into a short-term rental property for events and overnight stays, which will cost renters about $1,200 per night.

“There were old photos the previous owners had given Galen, so he hired artists and architects to come in and restore it as true to the original as possible,” said the Gaffney House property manager Ellen Archer.

The house is unique because its design is essentially a collection of Gaffney’s architectural career. “With Gaffney it was almost like he was finishing jobs and taking leftover pieces from the places he was working on and putting them into his house,” Archer said.

Fun fact: One of Gaffney’s biggest claims to architectural fame was the design of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium.

From delicate cathedral ceilings in one room to intricate crown molding that features a dog chasing a badger in another, the Gaffney House is a maximalist display of design.

The house is split across two stories. Each floor has its own kitchen, a set of suites with king-sized beds + private bathrooms, and outdoor porches with sweeping views of the Ohio River.

The first floor features The Gaffney Room + The Bourbon Room, as well as a living room and formal dining area. The floor below has The Derby Room and The Col. Sanders Room, along with another sitting room with a curved white sofa.

Outside the house, there is a boat dock for guests, a patio with a vine wall, and eventually the retaining wall will boast a mural by a local artist.

See more photos

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 19

Sound Healing and Aura Portraits | Tuesday, Sept. 19 | 6-7 p.m. | Story Louisville, 900 E. Main St., Louisville | $15 | Bring your own yoga mat for a sound bath experience followed by an optional aura portrait photo opt.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

100 Wise Women, featuring Vidya Ravichandran | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 8-10 a.m. | The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Ave., Louisville | $50 | Get inspired and expand your circle of connections during this breakfast event.
Chris Tucker | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 8 p.m. | Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th St., Louisville | $39.50-$79.50 | See this comedian and actor known for his roles in the “Rush Hour” franchise and “Friday.”

Thursday, Sept. 21

Bug Walk with Atelier Insecta | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave., Louisville | $13-$16 | See display insects + explore the live ones in the gardens.

Friday, Sept. 22

Downtown Drive-In | Friday, Sept. 22 | 7 p.m. | Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Rd., Louisville | Free | Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and catch a screening of “Up.”

Saturday, Sept. 23

Louisville Cardinals Football vs. Boston College | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 3:30 p.m. | L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, 2800 S. Floyd St., Louisville | $30-$150 | Watch the Cards take on the Eagles.
Purrfect Day Cat Café Stray Cat Strut Fun Walk & Run | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cherokee Park, 745 Chochran Hill Rd., Louisville | $35 | Raise funds for the Kentucky Humane Society during this all-ages run/walk at Cherokee Park.
First Annual Pawpaw Festival | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Louisville Nature Center, 3745 Illinois Ave., Louisville | Celebrate this native tropical fruit through workshops, tastings, and guided hikes.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Brandy for Butterflies | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 4-7 p.m. | Copper & Kings Distillery, 1121 E. Washington St., Louisville | Free | Learn about the migration of monarchs through a tagging and release + try speciality cocktails and food.

Monday, Sept. 25

Wine Education: Rioja to Rias Baixas | Monday, Sept. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | Nouvelle Bar & Bottle, 214 S. Clay St., Louisville | $50 | Learn about + taste four different wines from Northeast Spain.

Events calendar here

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Travel

Escape to the Northeast this fall

BOStoday City Editors recommend checking out the New England Aquarium, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Boston Public Library during your trip. | Photo by BOStoday

Thinking of getting away this fall? In just two hours, you could be strolling the brownstones in Back Bay, catching a Harvard football game, or snacking on a cannoli from Mike’s Pastry.

How? A nonstop flight from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport to Boston. Daily flights via American Airlines and Delta Airlines make planning a quick trip or extended getaway easy.

Don’t forget to say hi to our friends at BOStoday. What are you waiting for?

Book my flight

News Notes

Coming Soon

The Iroquois Park tennis court area is closed indefinitely as construction begins on a new set of courts. Four pickleball courts, two new tennis courts, and a futsal court will replace the existing ones. The $500,000 project is expected to wrap by spring 2024.

Arts

The Louisville Photo Biennial is currently underway across Kentuckiana. Over 50 venues are celebrating the artistic medium through exhibitions, workshops, and competitions. Lawrence Schiller, celebrity photographer + Oscar-winning filmmaker, is the festival’s keynote speaker. He will give a free presentation this Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Speed Art Museum.

Eat

This year, the 10 Taste Salute Gala on Sunday, Oct. 8, is dedicated to the legacy of Louisville chef + restaurateur Dean Corbett. The evening includes five-courses of Corbett’s classic dishes, cocktail pairings, and a live auction emceed by news anchor Dawne Gee. Tickets are $135 and benefit APRON Inc.

Seasonal

It wouldn’t be October in Louisville without David Dominé’s annual Victorian Ghost Walk. The spirits that haunt Old Louisville will be summoned for three nights of theatrical performances beginning Friday, Oct. 20. Tickets typically sell out for these spooky tours, so don’t wait for a full moon.

Family

We could all use a little support when welcoming a baby — the HANDS (Health Access Nurturing Development Services) program is here to help. See four ways HANDS helps new and expecting parents (think: baby proofing, education + more).

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Katie

From the editor

I was fortunate enough to tour the new Gaffney House, and while the restoration is stunning, I can’t stop thinking about the painted tiles of the four seasons in the dining room.

One of them is missing, presumably stolen during it’s vacancy, and I wonder if there’s someone out there who doesn’t realize they have it.

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