Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, Bardstown

Oscar Getz was born in November of 1897 in Chicago, Illinois. He married Emma Abelson Getz in 1920 also in Chicago. Oscar was a businessman before prohibition in the whiskey brokering business. It was said that Oscar had a colorful personality and was the consummate salesman. After prohibition ended Getz and his brother-in-law Lester Abelson decided to get back into the whiskey business and started their own business. Within a few years his company was busting at the seems and Oscar was named President of that same company that employed more than 100 employees and the became largest distributor of whiskey and bourbon obtained from the old Tom Moore Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. The brand they sold was bottled by the Tom Moore Distillery but they put their own label on it calling it “Old Barton.” By 1940 Getz was a big player in the industry and became the largest whiskey wholesaler in a seven state area mostly in the mid-west. Oscar also had a fascination with the distillation process of whiskey and the industry as a whole. As a hobby he started collecting memorabilia including artifacts, nice advertisements, small displays, bourbon and whiskey bottles. The inside of Spalding Hall is very charming and displays artifacts of time gone by It’s a must see of everyone who’s interested in the bourbon industry. And during the bourbon festival is a very popular place and the location of the festival bourbon auctions . Call as business hours change 🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃🥃

There were two entrances (or at least doorways) to the museum which indicated open (one of which is pictured). Google Maps also indicated open. However, the doors were locked, and when we called, we were informed it was closed. We specifically drove to Bardstown to see this museum as our first stop and it has specific artifacts and information that relates to what we learned about at the Frasier Museum that we were coming to see. (Destinations not being open when they say they will be open or not indicating that they are closed during regular hours can be a great inconvenience and frustration to travellers. As such, I give these one star, which will be updated upon returning.)

Really neat collection of memorabilia, organized well. Lots to see.

Charming, informative museum with extensive displays about the history of whiskey, how it's made, the bad old days of Prohibition and more. Very friendly and helpful staff. Two thumbs up for this place. The staff really give it a personal touch.

This place was gold if you are a history buff! The ladies there enjoy what they do and make the experience that much better. They are very knowledgeable and friendly. The museum itself has a lot of cool artifacts and a fun history of its own. Defiantly a must see while on the Bourbon Trail.