Higher Education and Payne Hollow: A Site for Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching
by David Wicks, Payne Hollow on the Ohio board chair
This year marks an exciting chapter for Payne Hollow on the Ohio as we deepen our role as a site for interdisciplinary research and teaching. Building on the legacy of Anna and Harlan Hubbard—who embraced simplicity, creativity, and environmental stewardship—Payne Hollow is becoming a dynamic hub where universities, students, and scholars explore the connections between art, culture, environment, and history.
Summer Research: Connecting Ecology, History, and Technology: This summer, Payne Hollow will host two major university-sponsored research projects, demonstrating the value of place-based, community-engaged learning.
The University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering, through a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, will return to Payne Hollow as part of the Community-Engaged Educational Ecosystem (C-EEEM) project. Two research teams will focus on Payne Hollow. One will create an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) Tour that brings Payne Hollow’s history, ecology, and art to a wider audience. A second team will explore Ohio River Islands, linking river ecology to Payne Hollow’s setting.
Simultaneously, the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service will sponsor an eight-week research project focusing on documenting the historic resources of Trimble County, connecting Payne Hollow to surrounding communities like Milton and Bedford. This research highlights how the site continues to inspire deep connections between history, land, and people.
Fall 2025: National Honors Seminar and Historic Preservation: Our engagement with higher education will continue into Fall 2025 when the University of Louisville Honors Program hosts a national travel seminar centered on Payne Hollow, led by Dr. David Wicks and Russ Barnett. As part of this "Managing Natural Areas" course, students will explore conservation and land ethics through visits to Bernheim Arboretum, Horner Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Berry Center, and the Aldo Leopold Foundation. These experiences will culminate in student presentations envisioning the future of Payne Hollow as a model of environmental stewardship and education.
In addition, the University of Kentucky’s Department of Historic Preservation will lead a course to develop Payne Hollow’s National Historic Register application, a significant step toward preserving this historic site and deepening public engagement with its story.
A Living Classroom for Interdisciplinary Study: These university collaborations reflect Payne Hollow’s vision to serve as a regional center for interdisciplinary education and conservation. Rooted in the Hubbards’ values of simplicity, creativity, and respect for nature, Payne Hollow is becoming a place where students and scholars engage in hands-on research, artistic exploration, and ecological restoration. Whether documenting biodiversity, exploring historical narratives, or creating art inspired by the landscape, Payne Hollow offers a setting for immersive learning across disciplines.
Looking Ahead: As we build these higher education partnerships, Payne Hollow is emerging as a living classroom and research field station, where students and faculty can connect meaningfully with land, history, and community.
In the words of Harlan Hubbard, “May it long remain as it is, not merely for our selfish enjoyment, but for the satisfaction it must give many people to know there is such a place.”
Finally, Payne Hollow on the Ohio is working with Hanover College to explore establishing an internship program, offering students opportunities to contribute to Hubbard research and Payne Hollow’s ongoing story. Through these efforts, we aim to keep Payne Hollow vibrant, relevant, and inspiring for generations to come.