ABOUT US
THE OLD LOUISVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
For over 40 years, the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council has sought community-based solutions to problems. Neighborhood leaders have fought urban blight leading to rejuvenated communities. Today, the national preservation district of Old Louisville boasts the largest contiguous collection of Victorian mansions in the United States.
Together we advocate for historic preservation, plant trees, work in a community garden, serve as good stewards of Central Park, work on zoning issues, establish neighborhood watch programs, put on free concerts in Central Park, give to the most vulnerable in our community, and support our local businesses. Yet, we are always striving to do more.
"We are always striving to do more."
Old Louisville’s commitment to the arts is unparalleled. The St. James Court Art Show is the top outdoor art show in America. The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park is the longest-running outdoor Shakespeare festival in the country. Old Louisville LIVE is a series of free concerts in Central Park.
The Old Lou Brew Craft Beer Festival brings friends and neighbors together for local craft beers, great food, and live music. The Garvin Gate Blues Festival is the largest blues street festival in the Midwest.
The gateway to Old Louisville is the Historic Old Louisville Visitors Center in Central Park, operated by the OLNC. Guided walking tours offer visitors historical and architectural information about one of Kentucky's finest heritage tourism destinations.
OUR MISSION
To advocate, promote, and protect Old Louisville’s historic architecture and streetscapes within a diverse neighborhood of residents and businesses while advancing artistic and cultural events to build community.
Old Louisville Neighborhood Council
Standing Committees
Property Improvement
Committee
For over 25 years, the OLNC's Property and Improvement Committee (PIC) has fought abandoned and neglected properties, planted trees, and worked to preserve and protect this historic preservation district.
Zoning And
Land Use
The OLNC's Zoning And Land Use Committee (ZALU) serves as an advocate on zoning issues related to Old Louisville, traditional neighborhood zoning district, short term rentals, and Louisville Metro planning and design proposals.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Luanne Maguire
President
Luanne Maguire has been a resident of Old Louisville since 1996, living on First Street and now Sixth Street. She is the Project Coordination Manager for Office Resources, Inc. Long active in her neighborhood, she has served as the President of the Garvin Gate Neighborhood Association for the past four years and as its Secretary previously. She has also served as the GGNA's Representative on the OLNC Board. She and her husband Ken Maguire (who served on the Old Louisville ARC for many years) run a successful Air BnB on 6th Street. She has developed close working relationship with the 6th District Metro Council Rep and each year works on the Garvin Gate Blues Festival, the GGNA's major fundraising event.
Jed Johnson
Vice President
Jed Johnson has been a resident of Old Louisville for over 30 years, living on Floral Terrace. He and his wife Penny, who currently serves as the CPW Representative on the OLNC, have been staunch supporters and leaders in the Central Park West Association, serving in all the offices. Over the years, Jed managed the CPW's annual fundraising event Wine Bar during the St. James Court Art Show. Professionally, Jed Johnson has been the Director of Facilities for the Kentuckiana Girl Scouts for over 25 years.
Joan O'Brien Williams
Treasurer
Joan O'Brien Williams was born and raised south of Dublin, Ireland. She left Ireland at age 20 to study in Germany, where she met her husband, Will, who was serving in the U.S. Army. After they married in 1993 they were stationed around the United States and Germany. After 30 years of military service, Will retired, and in 2014 they moved to Louisville and bought a house on Garvin Place. They immediately joined their neighborhood association, Garvin Gate Neighborhood Association. Joan currently serves as the association's Vice President. She and Will have long served on the OLNC Property Improvement Committee and planted more trees than they can remember. They also work on the Garvin Gate Blues Festival each year. Professionally, Joan was a teacher for many years, while she raised their son, Joshua. She currently works for an Irish company in Louisville doing bookkeeping.
Chuck Anderson
Secretary
Chuck Anderson has been a resident of Old Louisville since 1995 and lives on the 1300 block of South 3rd Street with his wife Sheelah and their four dogs. Chuck is a retired Vice President and Director of Operations for the Louisville office of Strand Associates, a consulting engineering firm. Chuck has been inducted into the Kentucky Engineers Hall of Fame for his distinguished service and significant contributions to the engineering profession. He has been an active member of the Historic 1300 Association and has served in leadership roles for many years, including President. From 2005-2008, Chuck was the Chair of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council. He was active in the former Old Louisville Chamber of Commerce and served on the Oak Street Task Force. Currently, he is serving on the OLNC Executive Committee as Secretary and is Chair of the Zoning and Land Use Committee.
Shawn Fields Williams
Executive Director
Shawn Fields Williams has served as the Executive Director of the OLNC since 2015. She helped Old Louisville gain recognition as "One of the Great Places in America" in 2016, launched the Old Louisville LIVE concerts series in Central Park and the Old Lou Brew Craft Beer Festival, established the Historic Old Louisville Walking Tours, worked to strengthen our community partnerships, and serve as an advocate for Old Louisville with Louisville Metro government. A native of Louisville, Shawn worked in Washington, D.C. for over 25 years managing the government affairs and public relations of national trade associations. In 2004, she returned to Kentucky and did fundraising for KET public television documentaries. She and her husband Kevin have restored a Victorian home on Belgravia Court. In 2012 she published a book, entitled Belgravia Court: Old Louisville's Premier Walking Court to celebrate 50 years of historic preservation in Old Louisville. Since becoming a resident of this community, Shawn has volunteered at the St. James Court Art Show, the Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour, the Old Louisville Mansions Tour, the Central Park Improvement Days, and served as a volunteer leader on the Belgravia Court Association many times.
Erika Hruszkewycz
Manager of the Historic Old Louisville Neighborhood & Visitor Center
Erika has lived in Old Louisville since 2017. Originally from Atlanta, she worked at a historical house museum as a docent while earning her B.A. in history. After graduation, she worked at the High Museum of Art as Guest Relations/Volunteer Coordinator for five years. Her career moved her into the Operations Department for a company that offered Sign Language interpreted phone calls for the Deaf community. After nine years, she is excited to return to a public history position. She enjoys meeting neighbors and visitors alike and hopes to see you at the Old Louisville Visitors Center soon!