Museum & Nature Center | Friends of Audubon State Park (2024)

Located at 3100 US Highway 41 North, in Henderson, KY, the John James Audubon State Park Museum & Nature Center are housed together in an historic stone chateau-style building built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1938.

The Museum & Nature Center is open daily from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Closures and/or shortened weeks may occur during specific holidays and winter months. Please call ahead to ensure availability: 502-782-7918.

Audubon Museum

The John James Audubon State Park Museum interprets the lives and work of John James Audubon and his family within a timeline of world events. Three galleries chronicle the Audubon story, including the family’s 1810-1819 residency in Henderson, Kentucky. Over 200 objects are on display, including artifacts from Audubon’s Kentucky years, a complete set of his masterwork, The Birds of America, and many original artworks.

Admission

Admission is discounted for visitors staying in the park.Group rates are available for self-guided and guided tours of the museum. Please call the Museum at 270-826-2247 for more information.

We are now offering FREE admission to the Museum & Nature Center every Wednesday.

Collection

The Audubon Museum is home to one of the largest collections of materials from wildlife artist and naturalist, John James Audubon. There are more than 1,000 items in the collection. Many of them are on display.

Collection highlights include:

• • The Birds of America, the double elephant folio edition (1827-1838)
• • The Birds of America, the Julius Bien edition (1858-1860)
• • A complete set of The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America (1845-1853)
• • Original engravings, lithographs, and copper engraving plates
• • Paintings by Audubon and his sons, John Woodhouse and Victor Gifford Audubon
• • Family letters, manuscripts, and rare books
• • Hair jewelry, clothing, heirloom silver, and birds taxidermied by Audubon himself!

Most items came from Alice Tyler, the widow of Audubon’s great-grandson, Leonard Sanford Tyler. In 1938 Mrs. Tyler placed on loan to the Museum her personal collection of Audubon material. The Tyler collection was purchased in 1994 through numerous donations made to theFriends of Audubon, as well as contributions from the Preston Foundation and the Kentucky Department of Parks.

The Friends of Audubon assist the Museum in acquiring important Audubon art and artifacts for its collection. Among the more significant acquisitions are two very rare engraving plates used in the production of The Birds of America and an oil painting of John James Audubon's little daughter, Lucy. Restrikes from the engraving are available for purchase at the Museum. All proceeds from restrike sales are used for art conservation.

Donations to the Collection

John James Audubon Museum Collections Donation Guide.

If you are interested in contributing an item to the Museum, please download, read, and fill out the form lines in this Guide first.

For more information, please contact the Curator by phone at (270) 826-2247 ext. 233 or by email at connor.humphrey@ky.gov.

Permanent Exhibit

The permanent exhibit explores the lives and work of John James Audubon and his family within a timeline of world events. Three galleries chronicle the Audubon story, including the family’s 1810-1819 residency in Henderson, Kentucky.

Over 200 objects are on display, including artifacts from Audubon’s childhood, a complete set of his masterwork, The Birds of America, and many original artworks. Pages in the folios are turned monthly revealing new and exciting images for visitors to see.

Museum Store

The Museum Store offers many nature-inspired products and items for the Audubon enthusiast. Kentucky-crafted products, from walking sticks to soaps and lotions are available along with a wide selection of Audubon prints, books, cards, and souvenirs. Gift cards are available for purchase and may be used at all Kentucky State Parks.

Nature Center

The John James Audubon State Park Nature Center is housed in the same building as the Museum, and sits perched on the edge of the park’s beautiful nature preserve. General admission gives visitors access to a wildlife observation room, the Audubon Theater, and the Discovery & Learning Center where our education staff conducts environmental and art education programs. An art gallery in the downstairs Meeting Room frequently displays the work of local artists. Several hiking trails begin/end near the Nature Center, allowing for great outdoor experiences!

For information about nature and art program opportunities, please call the Nature Center Office at 270-826-2247.