May 2026: Hibner to do events in Kentucky, Ohio
Perry Hibner, author of the book Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries, has scheduled five events in Kentucky and Ohio in early June.
Hibner is scheduled to be in Augusta, Ky., on Saturday, June 6, coinciding with the annual Art in the Garden event. He will discuss his book, answer questions and sign copies near the building that was used to represent the Bank of St. Louis in the first two episodes of the miniseries. Hibner is scheduled to be in Augusta from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The logistics were set up by Steve Henry, who is the former lieutenant governor of Kentucky and married to Heather French, whose parents, Ron and Diana, were interviewed for Hibner’s book.
Hibner will be in the Richmond, Ky. area on June 7. He will be at Fort Boonesborough State Park from 1 to 3 p.m. Park manager Jack Winburn, who started working at the park in 1978 when filming took place, has indicated Hibner will be in the replica 18th century tavern blockhouse. Fort Boonesborough was used to represent Fort Osage, which is located on the Missouri River in northwestern Missouri, in the second episode of the miniseries.
Hibner is also working to finalize details of his visit to the White Hall Historic Site, which was used to represent the home of Pasquinel (Robert Conrad) and Lise Bockweiss (Sally Kellerman) in the second and fourth episodes.
Hibner will be in Ohio on Monday, June 8, near locations where filming took place for the Zendt family farm and scenes representing Lancaster, Pa. in the third episode of the miniseries.
He will hold an author event at the Coshocton County District Library from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by an event at the Dover Public Library from 2 to 4 p.m.
“All of the locations I’m visiting in Kentucky and Ohio played significant roles in the filming of the early episodes,’’ Hibner said. “I’m excited to meet and talk with fans, many of whom were likely around when the filming took place in the spring of 1978. And it will be incredible to be in spots where filming actually took place.’’
Hibner has also continued to receive media coverage for his first book. He did an interview with WMTV-Ch. 15 anchor Leigh Mills as part of the station’s 4 p.m. newscast on May 6. He also was interviewed by editor Vanessa Ferrell of The Bracket County News and the story appeared in the weekly newspaper on May 14.
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Kirby Adams of the Louisville Courier-Journal interviewed Hibner on May 18 and the story is scheduled to appear in the online version of the newspaper on Saturday, May 30.
Hibner has held two events near his home of Middleton in May. He talked about his book and signed copies at Prairie Pages Bookstore in Sun Prairie on May 9. He also discussed his book, answered questions and signed copies at the Portage Public Library on May 20. Hibner is a Portage native.
“This has been such a thrill,’’ Hibner said. “I’ve held events with a few people and as many as 30. Regardless of the number, I just enjoy interacting with Centennial fans. And I hope they have felt like the events are worthwhile.’’
Hibner’s book contains more than 75 interviews with cast, crew, extras, locals, experts, and fans. Among those interviewed were Gregory Harrison (Levi Zendt), Barbara Carrera (Clay Basket), Cristina Raines (Lucinda McKeag Zendt), Cliff DeYoung (John Skimmerhorn), William Atherton (Jim Lloyd), Stephen McHattie (Jake Pasquinel), Kario Salem (Mike Pasquinel), Mark Harmon (Captain John McIntosh), and John Wilder, who adapted the James A. Michener best-selling novel for television and was the main producer. The book also includes excerpts from more than 60 primary sources.
