“When someone built this stuff, they built it with the intention of providing a service that would somehow help humans,” said Portland artist Dean Thomas in an interview with Portland Museum, “they sort of created a spirit in that machinery, and now it’s sitting there going ‘are you ever going to use me again?’ It still has value.”
Year: 2026
Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Donated to Save-A-Lot and the Delta Foundation in Portland
We have donated AEDs to Save-A-Lot and the Delta Foundation in Portland and also given an AED to the Urban League! We are seeking additional recipient organizations. To qualify, organizations should meet certain criteria such as being open to the public, having high foot traffic, and having people willing to be trained in CPR. Ideal locations include locally owned businesses/workplaces, non-profits, gyms or churches.
The Portland Festival Is Back: Let’s Build Our 52nd Year Together
If you’ve lived in Portland for any length of time, you know that the Portland Festival is the heartbeat of our neighborhood. For over half a century, it’s been the weekend where we all come together, catch up with old friends, and celebrate what makes our community special. After a short break, we’re proud to bring this beloved tradition back for its 52nd year this June.
Portland NOW Year-End Report
Portland NOW is proud to share with you our annual report. 2025 saw strong growth and activation in the organization. It proved the truth: that when Portland neighbors celebrate their heritage and work together to create a future where our children flourish, we are being PORTLAND NOW.
Hand in Hand Ministries Helps Build Home In Belize
Woody Woodruff from Portland Save-A-Lot was in Belize for the home build with Hand in Hand Ministries and he shared pictures taken from that build. House #554 is more than a home — it’s a testament to what happens when people come together, hand in hand.
Award-Winning Gin Distillery Coming to West Main Street
The 1300 block of West Main Street will get another boost when it becomes home to West End Gin by the end of 2026 into early 2027, according to business co-founder Dr. Dawn Wade. “The goal is to be producing everything in-house and employ West End residents,” she added.
Louisville Outreach for the Unsheltered (L.O.U.) Ready to Continue Serving Community in New Building
L.O.U. Executive Director David Smillie has been a veteran of street outreach in Louisville for about eight years, meeting people where they are, connecting them with resources and providing a variety of support. L.O.U. has a new home right across the street from The Table at 1801 Portland Avenue with a mini clinic as well as a meeting room, kitchen space, and shower facility.
Portland Boys Club Group “The Mohawks” Friends Since 1960s
The Mohawks, and many of the other Portland Boys Club members, grew up to be productive, successful men who had families of their own, raised children and contributed to the common good. The Mohawks remained friends throughout their adult lives. They still gather occasionally for lunch together to enjoy catching up and reliving the glory days of their club.
The Bridge Over The River: K&I
The Kentucky and Indiana Bridge, shortened colloquially to K&I, opened in 1886 as one of the first bridges to cross the mighty Ohio’s 981-mile run. It was designed to be multi-modal, meaning it would function as a crossing for trains, streetcars, stagecoaches, and pedestrians alike. Construction began in 1881 with private funding from the efficiently named Kentucky and Indiana Bridge Company. In a business move that would’ve made the late Steve Jobs beam with pride, the K&I Bridge Company also owned the ferry operation that would be cannibalized by the bridge’s construction and subsequent obsolescence of boat travel as a necessity for river crossings.
Nardie Enters the Workforce at Crittenden Drive International Harvester Plant
“We were making parts for John Deere, tractor parts, manifold parts. That’s when International Harvester had…remember the Scout? And they had Cub Cadet. So basically, in the foundry, it’s hot metal, you know, and we would do these molds. You add all these components to make the manifold. Once it goes down to the line, it goes down to the pour section. And then you got these guys that are basically pushing a dolly. It’s like a scooter, and it has a ladle. It’s got a ladle full of molten metal.”