LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana (WAC) is moving its office to The Dolfinger in the Portland Neighborhood on Oct. 31.
The move reflects a significant milestone in the World Affairs Council’s 30+ year history. Since its establishment, the WAC has been located in the heart of downtown Louisville. It has brought thousands of international leaders to the area, and convened hundreds of prominent speakers on global issues.
“The decision to move to Portland demonstrates WAC’s desire to be part of a bigger movement and a vision for the future of a community in Louisville,” said Dr. Adel Elmaghraby, Board Chair of WAC. “This move will help bring greater international and local exposure to the historic neighborhood through increased in-house programming with visitors from around the world and educational programs for students throughout the city.”
The name “The Dolfinger” is in honor of Emma Dolfinger. Originally the Montgomery Street school built in the 1850s, the building was renamed the Dolfinger School in 1928. Emma Dolfinger was a Louisville educator who was the head of the science department of the Louisville Girls’ School, and a supervisor of science for the city schools. The building operated under that name until it closed in 1975. (It then became Portland Christian School.)
The building was also used as a Civil War hospital. The Dolfinger was one of the first buildings acquired by the Gill Holland-led Portland Investment Initiative. Holland said that there are already several tenants on board but that the WAC is “Our most high-profile tenant for sure. They are the perfect fit for Portland since Portland was where goods departed down the Ohio by boat.”
WAC will occupy two first floor classrooms, one of which will be an event space that will host regular and diverse programs featuring international leaders from its exchange programs; workshops and presentations for students involved in its education programs; and special events that will bring people from around the city to the neighborhood to participate.
