The Hannibal Arts Council will welcome local railroad historian and collector Archie Hayden as the featured guest for its Coffee Talk Conversation Series at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, at the Hannibal Arts Council, 105 S. Main St. The foundation of his presentation will spotlight pieces from his collection currently on display as part of the Folklife@50 Exhibit. The program is free and open to the public.
Railroads played an important role in shaping Hannibal’s history, connecting the community to the rest of the country while contributing to its growth, commerce and development. From bustling depots and railroad yards to the locomotives and people who kept the trains moving, Hannibal has a rich railroad heritage filled with interesting stories.
Hayden, a retired railroad brakeman and conductor, longtime railroad enthusiast and avid collector of railroad photographs, artifacts and memorabilia, has spent years researching, documenting and preserving the area’s railroad history. For 40 years he was a railroader with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad and later BNSF. His firsthand railroad experience, combined with his extensive collection and historical knowledge, provides a unique perspective on this important chapter of Hannibal’s past.
During the presentation Hayden will share stories, historical insights and information about Hannibal’s railroad heritage, offering attendees an opportunity to discover more about the trains, people and places that helped shape the community.
The Hannibal Arts Council’s Coffee Talk Conversation Series brings people together for informal, informative presentations and conversations on a wide variety of subjects, featuring individuals with special knowledge, experiences and interests to share. Wade Stables P.C. is the Signature Sponsor of the series.
For more information, contact the Hannibal Arts Council at 573-221-6545 or visit hannibalarts.com.
