Fifth Ward School

Monserrat School is a 123 year old elegant three story brick building, located on 5th and York Street. Over the years the building has served as a school, hospital, dormitory, library, museum and currently as apartments.

History

Monserrat School or the Fifth Ward School was built in 1854 with Italian Renaissance style architecture. The Fifth Ward School would serve three hundred children annually. During the Civil War it served as a hospital. During World War II, the building became a dormitory for soldiers. The buildings name would later change to the Monsarrat, after the schools first principle Laura Lucas Monsarrat. 

From 1937-1951, the Monserrat School was used to operate the Free Public Library and Museum, on loan from the Board of Education. This was due to the flood of 1937 that damaged the Louisville Free Public Library building. The museum was located on the first floor. Visitors would have to pack into the small museum location, until a new one could be afforded.

On May 20, 1940, the library on York Street reopened, however, the museum continued on at the Monserrat for another thirty-seven years.

In 1977, the museum was relocated to downtown where it is now known as the Kentucky Science Center.

In the 1980s the Monserrat building was transformed into upscale apartments and 28 years later, it is still leasing.

Reference

History of the Monserrat Building. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2017, from http://www.monopolyrealtyco.com/MS_BLDG_HIST.htm