Anna and Harlan Hubbard may not be names familiar to most readers . But if you have ever thought dreamily of Henry David Thoreau ’s experimentation , forsaking the “ thrall of time ” and rough it on Walden Pond , youmight wish to know a chip more about the Hubbards . For over 40 years , they go a life in nature along the Ohio River .
Thoreau packed up and direct back to Ithiel Town after two years at Walden . Furthermore , for him “ roughing it ” include regular trips home to have his female parent do his washing . Yet this has never meant that Thoreau ’s philosophy should n’t inspire others . Harlan Hubbard was inspired by his enjoining to “ Go confidently in the direction of your dreams . ”
The Thoreau Society , peculiar about these Kentucky function manikin from Payne Hollow , last week invited filmmakerMorgan Atkinsonto Concord , Massachusetts , for a screening of his documentary film , Wonder : The life of Anna and Harlan Hubbard . Atkinson has previously produced documentaries on Thomas Merton , the Trappist monk , and John Howard Griffin , the source ofBlack Like Me .
Anna and Harlan on the shantyboat
Thirty - five people showed up last week at the Masonic Temple to meet Atkinson and watch the viewing during The Thoreau Society ’s Annual Conference . The historical construction , built during the tenure of Grand Master Paul Revere in 1797 , has n’t been update to air conditioning ( sure as shooting a fact the Hubbards would have approved of ) , but none was needed . It was a modest afternoon .
Last week ’s film screening attender knewWendell Berry , though none had heard of the Hubbards . Berry , a ally of the Hubbards , wroteHarlan Hubbard : Life and Work . He describes the Hubbard ’s calling : “ [ Anna and Harlan ] lived at the crossroads of a vital paradox ; by having footling , they had much ; by living frugally , they lived copiously ; by living ‘ apart from the populace ’ they live in the world closely and truly . ”
Though the Hubbards live off the grid , their lives were enriched with art , medicine and gardening . Anna and Harlan produced most of what they ate and bartered for the rest — admit art supplies , violin train and other “ land provender . ” They were used to “ littling along . ” They shunned modern “ conveniences ” but were not shut - ins . They enjoyed visit from strangers as diverse as “ young group , to the conservative and orthodox ” and often row across the river to Madison , Indiana , to take part in Hanover College ’s ethnic natural process .
Anna and Harlan on the shantyboat
ethnical activities brought them together in the first place . In their early 40s , Anna and Harlan suffer in a Cincinnati library . Anna was a librarian and pianist . Harlan , a frequent library visitant , was an creative person , carpenter , violinist and , of course , a reader .
Anna and Harlan on the shantyboat
He was a library patron for four geezerhood before they started lifetime as couple on a shantyboat that they built together . Anna and Harlan later wander down the Ohio River with their dog Skipper , a violin , violoncello , genus Viola and a hive . finally they negociate the punic Mississippi River—“a fool ’s graveyard”—and made it to the Louisiana bayous . “ I was old enough to be call center - ripened before I ceased being a sciolist and withdraw to the river in earnest , ” Harlan compose .
Hanover College students help the Hubbards in the ’80s.
Anna and Harlan riposte in 1951 to Payne Hollow , a spot along the Ohio River in Trimble County they had commend lovingly on their float trip downstream . “ If we sometimes thought with consternation of pass up a floating , nomadic life , we were solace by sure advantages offer by a house on land . There would be more infinite for Word and music , even a ( Steinway ) pianissimo … I could have a shop to fill with tools and junks , and a separate studio apartment to paint … The possibilities seemed limitless , and more and more delightful . ” They purchased seven Akka of borderline nation from a neighbor for $ 300 . They were “ taking base . ”
Anna and I were attract by the very condition which caused it to be abandoned . We were unique among its habitant , not Fannie Farmer , nor fisherman nor shantyboaters in the accepted sense ; yet close to the earth than any of them , with honest respect for the river and grease , and for Payne Hollow . May it long remain as it is , not only for our selfish enjoyment , but for the expiation it must give many people to know there is such a space . Few wild pocket are leave along the river these day .
Hanover College students aid the Hubbards in the ’ 80s .
Anna and Harlan remain at Payne Hollow , horticulture , foraging , canning , sportfishing , painting , committal to writing , and playing Chopin preludes until their deaths in the late 1980s .
Atkinson’s“Wonder”has enjoyed national masking and been interpret on Kentucky Educational Television . PBS has n’t yet shown interest in a national airing . The programmers ca n’t mayhap believe that love and adventure might be a subject only of regional interest ? That would be a pity , as it would be a pity to pretermit one of the end thoughts state by Harlan Hubbard :
I sometimes regret that my previous yearning to live closer to the earth can never be fulfilled , but our life together has been richer , more solid and productive , than my solitary one would ever have been . Of this I am certain .
