A lottery that was meant to be a major funding source to start a library for the city of Louisville was a scam that placed a $30,000 debt on the organization.
The Polytechnic Society's new purpose was to help provide literary and scientific knowledge to the public while keeping the library free for all.
The Polytechnic Society's primary founder was the librarian of the Public Library of Kentucky, Paul Allen Towne.
By that summer, Professor Pepper of the Polytechnic Institute of London spoke for a series of lectures with his lantern slide projector, which at the time was high technology.
Many members of the Polytechnic had misgivings about Towne's innocence in regards to his involvement in the Public Library of Kentucky's lottery scandal.
On Dec. 13 1878, Towne was discharged as librarian of the Polytechnic for insubordination for refusing to surrender his safe and card catalog to the council.
40 art classes were organized, including drawing, painting, wood carving, medieval lettering, and decorative design.
On January 9, 1913, the Polytechnic Society held its last meeting and relinquished its property to the Louisville Free Public Library.