Cache Description: You are looking for a small lock n' lock with small trade items. Parking is available at the nearby shelter. Depending on the time of year, use stealth and watch for muggles.
Kentucky State Parks Geocaching Permit # 14927KySP26
John James Audubon State Park History Established October 3, 1934
On October 3, 1934, the Commonwealth of Kentucky dedicated the John James Audubon State Park. Some of the most jubilant members of the crowd attending the dedication included members of the Henderson Audubon Society. Founded in 1898 to preserve the legacy of the great American artist and naturalist, John James Audubon (1785-1851), the Society had worked for over three decades to establish a fitting memorial. In 1910, Susan Towles, the town librarian, became president of the Society. She envisioned a museum housed in the old Audubon gristmill located on the banks of the Ohio River. Unfortunately, fire destroyed the mill in 1913. After the destruction of the old mill, citizens dedicated the site as Audubon Mill Park.
In 1930, the Henderson Audubon Society requested $100,000 from the Federal government to help construct an Audubon Museum. The Society had a large and growing collection of Audubon artifacts that needed proper housing. National interest in the works of Audubon had increased through the years and now seemed the right time to involve the government in helping preserve and promote the Audubon collection. A bill introduced in Congress to appropriate money for the Audubon project failed to pass. Undeterred, local citizens continued to raise funds for the proposed museum. By 1934, 275 acres had been acquired through donations and purchase. The goal of establishing a state park seemed possible.
Work began on the John James Audubon State Park on October 3, 1938. The Civil Conservation Corps (CCC) Number 1540 constructed cabins, gardens, shelter houses, picnic areas, a lake, trails, and a museum. The Audubon Memorial Museum is an impressive structure designed as a replica of a Norman-French inn to honor Audubon’s French heritage. Architects Donald Corley representing the WPA and Barnard Stebbins of Kentucky designed the museum building. The structure has a round tower that has nesting places for birds. A cobbled courtyard with French garden graces the immediate grounds of the museum.
The Audubon Memorial Museum contains many of the artist’s oils and watercolors, along with personal belongings and furniture belonging to the Audubon family. The museum also houses the magnificent double-elephant folio (27 by 40 inches) of the Birds of North America.
John James Audubon's journey into Kentucky history started in 1803 when he arrived in America. A native of St. Dominique (now Haiti), Audubon grew up on his father’s plantation. Jean Audubon, a French naval officer and slave trader, had fought in the American Revolution and owned land in Norristown, Pa. In 1803 Audubon’s father sent him to manage his Norristown farm. In 1807 Audubon moved to Louisville to become a partner in a store.
From early childhood Audubon wanted to sketch the birds he saw in the American woods. Throughout his life he never lost his interest in the beauty of the natural world. By 1810 he had a collection of 200 drawings of birds. While in Louisville he met the renowned Scottish ornithologist, Alexander Wilson, who had traveled to Kentucky to sketch the birds of the region. Audubon observed that Wilson’s drawings were inferior to his own. He told Wilson that he had been drawing birds, but still considered it a pastime. He also informed him that he intended to sketch all the birds of North America.
Later in 1810 Audubon and his business partner moved to Henderson to open a new store. Although with a wife and family to support, he did very well in his new enterprise for a few years. He continued to draw the birds that so fascinated him. Lean economic times forced him to sell his Henderson properties and return to Louisville. After being briefly jailed for debt he went bankrupt in 1819. To make a living he gave art lessons and painted portraits. For a time he worked as taxidermist for Dr. Daniel Drake’s Western Museum in Cincinnati.
Audubon's love of nature did not go unnoticed. Between 1827 and 1838, a four- volume work entitled Birds of America was published. In 1842-1845, a five-volume work, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of America, saw publication. Other Audubon works include, Ornithological Biography (1831-1839), the fifth volume of Birds of North America, and Synopsis of Birds of North America. Audubon later moved to New York where he died on a farm overlooking the Hudson River.
Disclaimer to Geocachers:
Be sure to join our Kentucky State Parks Geotour and discover our state while enjoying the sport of geocaching. Please do not vandalize of move the container. Be sure to replace the cache like you found it (or better) and before you leave it behind, make sure it is completely covered. Please leave the rubber stamp, stamp pad and log book in the plastic bag in the container for the next participant. These are important game pieces for those participating in the Geotour. Be sure to log your experience and happy caching!
Thank you for following the principles of Leave No Trace.Be sure to follow trails to your designation (no bushwhacking).
This is for safety purposes and to protect our resources.
Additional Park Information: http://www.parks.ky.gov