Payne Hollow on the Ohio

09/01/2026

A death is a sad thing, but a life so full of effort and good will overshadows the grief tremendously. Let’s joyfully celebrate the thoughts and deeds and acknowledge the passing as yet one last necessary thing in a life well lived. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, or as Wendall may have rather put it, dirt to dirt....

Payne Hollow was a special place for him and inspired much in his writings. Wendall was a dear friend to the Harlan and Anna and rumor has it he liked the dogs too. His spirit has been there all along and will continue to be present.

A lover of forests, the farmer, author and former English professor died on Thursday, according to his family and the New York Times. He was 92.

08/29/2026

Volunteer Days at Payne Hollow!
It’s not labor, it’s love!

September 7 - Labor Day Volunteer Day
We hope you will join us for a Labor Day Volunteer Day at Payne Hollow. We will meet at 9:00 am at 461 Rodgers Road, Milton, KY 40045, before hiking down to the Hollow to work on the cabin, studio, trails, and riverbank to get Payne Hollow ready for visitors during the Payne Hollow Symposium! After we work, we will take time to gather for lunch and Bray's Ice-cream. Registration and additional details are available here:

DATE: Monday, September 7, 2026 TIME: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm followed by BYO Brown Bag Lunch LOCATION: 461 Rodgers Road, Milton, KY 40045 RSVP: Please let us know your plan to join us by submitting this form. Activity: Volunteers are needed to clean both the cabin and art studio, assist with trail work,...

08/27/2026

Believe it or not, we are less than two months away from Payne Hollow on the Ohio's inaugural Symposium. This Symposium is inspired by the early meetings held by the Friends of the Hubbards group in years past, when folks united by their love of the Ohio River and Harlan and Anna came together in fellowship to learn and celebrate in community.

This year, we are proud to be bringing you some truly special opportunities related to the Hubbards' diverse cultural interests: music, art, nature, and, of course, the history and people of the Ohio River Valley:

MUSIC
In addition to a very special performance by Kentucky's own internationally recognized musician, artist, and river-advocate Bonnie "Prince" Billy (AKA Will Oldham), registrants at the Symposium will have the opportunity to enjoy the traditional folk stylings of Wes and Donna Griffin, hailing from the creative community of New Harmony, Indiana, and the Indiana premiere of Daniel Gilliam's Piano Trio No. 2: "Payne Hollow," performed by the NouLou Chamber Players. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase scores and vinyl or CD recordings of Gilliam's innovative new work.

ART
We'll be unveiling a brand-new installation of the Hanover College collection of Harlan Hubbard's artwork at the Duggan Library, and we're very pleased to welcome Mike Detisch, of the University of Kentucky's EduceLab, to present on early data from the very first scientific study of Harlan's paintings. Tracy Barnes will be offering two opportunities to participate in her "Paint Like Harlan" beginner watercolor classes, and Al Gorman will offer an exciting workshop on place-based frottage and rubbing techniques using objects and materials sourced from the Ohio River. And, although there are very limited spots available now, you can still sign up to join our local trolley tour of Hubbard's artwork.

NATURE
The best way to experience the landscape the Hubbards loved is by visiting their home at Payne Hollow, which you can register to do at no charge during the Symposium weekend. We're also thrilled to welcome Wes Modes, who will be bringing his Hubbard-inspired shantyboat to Madison and sharing insights from his "Secret History of American River People" project.

HISTORY & PEOPLE
From the stories of descendants from Anna Eikenhout Hubbard's family, to a wealth of other personal and professional meditations on our sessions day, we have no shortage of information to offer on the Ohio River and those who love it. And don't forget: you can grab a book at our Berry Center Bookstore pop-up shop after taking in the dedication ceremony for the important new State historical marker in Milton, honoring Harlan and Anna and their life at Payne Hollow.

Registration to the Symposium will include delicious, vegetarian-friendly foods to nosh throughout Friday evening and Saturday, all provided by Hanover College's catering partner, Parkhurst Dining. Attendees will receive an e-mail in September requesting their selection for Saturday's boxed lunch.

We can't wait to see you at this exciting opportunity to commune with other Hubbard lovers and to provide financial sustenance to our mission at Payne Hollow on the Ohio. Thank you for your support!

VIEW THE SCHEDULE: https://www.paynehollowontheohio.org/payne-hollow-symposium

REGISTER NOW: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-payne-hollow-symposium-drifting-forward

08/21/2026

It’s the time of year one walks into spider webs strolling down the path to the hollow…

08/21/2026

Friendly visitor up in the trees yesterday at the Hollow. Top left corner in the last images with the house.

08/18/2026

Save the Date!

Yeah it's Labor Day, but we are making it Volunteer Day!--and we will all pretend there is no labor because it's good labor!

Monday, September 7th morning til... We will be getting stuff in order down in the Hollow for the Symposium shindig coming up in October. Look for more info soon.

Here's David Kannapell and Dave Caudillmfrom last Sunday doing trail clearing tom get a start!

08/13/2026

We hope you have enjoyed the snippets of the stormy music night down in the Hollow that have been posted.

Here's complete video directly viewable on the website. Thanks to all who came out to play and sing along. Musicians were The Local Honeys (Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokely), The Brothers Smith (Aaron and Wes), Ana Po***ck, Casey Cambell, Matt McCormick and Maria Catrelli. Others along for the ride and singing along included Blake Neumann, Jerry Schulte, Forest Whitaker, Theresa Mudd, and Dave Caudill, John Nation, David Wicks and Joe Wolek with Sunshine and Shadow.

As the day draws to a close and evening commences, the group gathers on the patio—the site of most all social activity when the Hubbard’s welcomed guests. The musicians start offering up a few ditties and get in synch as the dogs smell the vapors and peer off into the distance towards the coming...

08/12/2026

As the night ends there has been no seance, but Jerry Schulte--not one of the musicians but a river rat that came along for the ride--channels the spirit of Paul Robeson (or at least some old Appalachian barber shop quartet bass baritone) and rounds out the evening perfectly...

08/10/2026

As the storm moves downstream they sing on with appropriate song...