On the grandest court in the Old Louisville historic neighborhood, stands the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum. I toured this home last October. At the time, they were hosting evening Halloween-related tours about death and Victorian culture, so that’s why you might spot some candles, ravens, or covered-up mirrors in my photos. (I took the regular daytime tour.)
History
The Conrad-Caldwell House was built from 1893-1895 by French master tanner Theophile Conrad. In case you think that tanners didn’t make that much, he also owned a lot of Louisville real estate and had a part in his father’s successful glue business. At the time, he was considered one of Louisville’s richest men.
After Theophile’s death, his wife Mary sold the house in 1908 to William Caldwell, an American engineer. And it wasn’t the first time the Conrad family had sold to the Caldwells – they rented their previous house to them as well!
William Caldwell is best known for patenting a way to make water tanks in different shapes. His firm, the Caldwell Tank Company, made the huge Louisville Slugger bat downtown and the Mickey Mouse water tower in Walt Disney Studios in Florida.
After William’s death, his children sold the house in 1944, It was first used as a boarding house for female students and faculty for the University of Louisville. Then in 1948, it was bought by the Presbyterian Church as a residence for widows until the mid-1980’s. In 1987, it was purchased by the residents of St. James Court and turned into a non-profit museum.
The Conrad-Caldwell House
The exterior of the Conrad-Caldwell House is made from Bedford limestone with arches, turrets, and gargoyles, making it look like a compact French castle. In fact, when it was built, it was referred to as “Conrad’s Castle” by the neighborhood.
Inside, 7 types of hardwood are mixed to create stunning designs. Pocket doors have one color of wood on the inside and another on the outside. Parquet floors mimic traditional quilt patterns.
Downstairs
The house has been restored to its Edwardian appearance of the Caldwell era. Downstairs is a parlor and a library/study flanking the front door.
But the real star of the show is the carved wooden staircase. The Caldwell’s daughter Grace was married on these stairs in 1913.
An alcove under the stairs
There’s also a dining room and kitchen on this floor. We didn’t see the kitchen but you can peek in the butler’s pantry and see the family safe.
Upstairs
Heading up the stairs, you can better see the huge stained-glass window (which opens!) and a large tapestry. It sounds like they are saving up funds to see if they can get the tapestry restored.
Lots of stained glass 
Upstairs there is the ladies’ suite in the round turret with period dresses laid out.
In the octagonal turret is the gentlemen’s suite. It’s set up for William Caldwell with his lap desk and local cards.
Our tour guide 
Caldwell’s lap desk and papers
A few more rooms on this floor are arranged to look like sitting rooms or bedrooms. One room in particular is said to be haunted by three Presbyterian ladies that apparently are too comfortable to leave.
On the top floor is Caldwell’s large office in the top of the octagonal turret, overlooking the neighboring park. There’s also a ye olde English-looking billiard room up here with doors to a shallow balcony. I think in times past it’s been used as a ballroom before Caldwell.
Visiting Conrad-Caldwell House Museum
If you would like to visit the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, tours are currently open Saturdays and Sundays at noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm. During the warmer months, they are open more during the week. It costs $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+, and $6 for students with ID. If you want to take a zoom tour during Covid, it’s only $5! I wonder if that’s live, that could be really interesting (or motion-sickness-inducing!)
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