John James Audubon State Park and Henderson Kentucky

It was spring break, and we were looking for an American Volksmarch Association (AVA) event close by.  We found a year-round event in Henderson, Kentucky, right across the river from Evansville, Indiana.  Riding the motorcycles was a little cold, so we drove up to Henderson. So it is now time to take a walk through history.

John James Audubon State Park is a great place to walk a few 5ks.  That's kilometers for all of you who need to become more familiar with the metric system.  There is a walk in the woods through the Park and one through downtown Henderson.  So 10Ks it is, and we're off.  After stopping for breakfast, we arrive around 9:30AM, with plenty of time to walk 10Ks.

Mr. Audubon, the famous 19th-century naturalist, lived in Henderson for 10 years before printing his seminal art book, The Birds of America.  What impressed us the most about the John James Audubon State Park was the Audubon Memorial Museum.  There was a $6 entrance fee for the Museum, but it was well worth it.  First, we saw a great film about Audubon's life and the building of the Museum.

The Museum contains artifacts from his life and drawings that were donated by his relatives.  Included are some of his original picture books.  The most impressive is his Elephant Book of The Birds of America.  Called an elephant book because it is so large.  Before today I knew very little about Audubon and his work; for me, this was a real educational experience.

After we walked around the Park, we stopped for lunch and headed downtown.  Henderson, at one time, was the wealthiest city in the world.  With more millionaires per capita than any other place in the world.  All due to dark-cured Tobacco.  This was until Britain imposed a Tariff, which wrecked the economy and almost destroyed the city.

When you walk through Henderson, Audubon's influence is everywhere. Many things are named after him, including the Park and many establishments downtown.  A lot of the walk is along the Ohio River.  It has that river town feel, slow and meandering.  The trail passes many stately houses.  Including the governor's homes, of which there are 4.


We finish the walk, and while reading more about Henderson, discover that WC Handy spent a decade here, joined a band, and the rest is history.  The father of the Blues has a festival here in the middle of June every year.

Well, it is time to head home; it was a great trip to Henderson, Kentucky.  After walking 10 kilometers and learning so much about this little city, I am much better at it and wonder why it took me so long to make it here.