Lunch and Learn: Payne Hollow on the Ohio, with Joe Wolek
Schedule
Tue Sep 30 2025 at 12:00 pm to 01:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
201 E Spring St, New Albany, IN, United States, Indiana 47150 | New Albany, IN
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During the 2025 Lunch and Learn calendar year we have been focusing on stories of progress along the Ohio River. Building up over the last couple of years, a synergy has developed among many interested groups of people that could lead to governmental funding opportunities and a greater appreciation and respect for the life along the 981 mile length of the Ohio River proper. Of course, this watershed is bigger than that. A recognition that a major river flows between Louisville and southern Indiana is one of the biggest positive developments in this area in the past thirty years.The rediscovery and reexamination of the extraordinary story of Harlan and Anna Hubbard, whose lives have become exemplary examples of living ecologically-sustainable and aesthetically-rich lives, is also a symbol of this movement. Harlan was a well-known visual artist and Anna was a musician. After marrying in the 1940s, the Hubbards built and lived aboard a shanty boat, and later during the early 1950s built a home on the river in Trimble County, Kentucky and named it Payne Hollow. Their lives were simple but rich. They lived without electricity and grew their own food. Today this site is more easily accessed from the river, and Payne Hollow is directly across the Ohio River from Madison, Indiana.
Our speaker Joe Wolek is also an artist and had been engaged on a journey of his own when his life changed suddenly. Although born in Kentucky, Joe grew up in California and became a professional photographer and site location manager for major advertising campaigns that took him around the world. During a photo/business trip to Argentina, Joe was assaulted for his camera equipment and seriously injured. During the recovery process, Wolek returned to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and was introduced to both the Ohio River and to the Hubbards’ important legacy which resonated with him.
Today, Joe and his wife Lena (a potter of note) have purchased property near Payne Hollow and are founding members of a not-for-profit organization with an all-volunteer board. Now that the property has been purchased, the intention is to secure and save the site for future use and appreciation. It is a goal of this nonprofit to have Payne Hollow designated as a National Historic Landmark. On Tuesday, September 30th you have your chance to learn more about the plans for Payne Hollow, and to meet Joe Wolek.
Free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. You are welcome to bring a lunch. Let us know you're coming here: https://nafclibrary.libcal.com/event/15372361
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Where is it happening?
201 E Spring St, New Albany, IN, United States, Indiana 47150Event Location & Nearby Stays:
