by Gil Lawson – John James Audubon State Park will close out its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration with a special museum event November 2.
All three parts of the historical anniversary exhibit will be on display, along with a special collection of future plans for the next 75 years. Hors d’oeuvres, museum tours and music by Eric Scales will be on the main level of the museum from 6-7 p.m.
In the lower level, from 7-9 p.m., guests will enjoy a gourmet meal by Avarice Watson, music, a preview of short films about the park, special speakers and the unveiling of the newest print from the most recent Audubon copper plate purchase, “The American Bittern,” plate No. 337. The copper plates were used to print books that featured Audubon’s work. One print, or “re-strike,” will be auctioned off at this time.
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| The American Bittern |
Prints of “The American Bittern” will be available for sale after November 4 at the museum.
Michael Aakhus, dean of arts from the University of Southern Indiana, will speak. Aakhus will discuss the unique process of printing from the historical plates, which the park museum has exhibited in its gallery. This is the second plate from the Audubon collection from which Aakhus has produced restrikes.
Park manager Mark Kellen will present a multimedia program on the park history, including the recognition of key people throughout the park’s growth.
For tickets, contact: Mark Kellen, park manager, at 270-826-2247 mark.kellen@ky.gov or Kim McGrew-Liggett at 270-827-1893 or kim.mcgrew@ky.gov Cost: $50 per ticket; limited to the first 100 people.
John James Audubon State Park is the site where Audubon studied and painted birds from 1810-1819. The park is equipped with cottages and a campground, and offers many recreational opportunities, including a nine-hole golf course, 6 miles of hiking trails, fishing and more. It also has a museum and nature center that interprets Audubon’s life through a collection of his paintings and memorabilia.
The park is located on U.S. 41 in the northern outskirts of Henderson, ½-mile south of the U.S. 41 bridge over the Ohio River.
