‘Centennial’ author to discuss book at Dover library

Author Perry Hibner will visit the Dover Public Library at 2 p.m. Monday, June 8, in the community room.

Hibner will share stories from his latest book, “Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries,” which includes interviews with Barbara Carrera, Gregory Harrison, Cristina Raines, Stephen McHattie, William Atherton, Cliff DeYoung and others. He also will share casting details from creator and executive producer John Wilder and others. A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow.

The popular miniseries first aired on NBC in 1978-79. It included 12 episodes spanning 26 hours. More than 28 million households watched the first episode Oct. 1, 1978.

The miniseries was based on James A. Michener’s 1974 historical novel “Centennial,” which chronicles the history of a fictional Colorado town from prehistoric times to the 1970s.

Ohio locations were used for several early scenes in the miniseries. Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton was transformed into 1800s Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and St. Louis for episode three. Whitewoman Street temporarily was covered in dirt to make it look period-appropriate, and local extras were hired for tavern scenes.

Several farm scenes representing the Zendt family farm were filmed in rural Tuscarawas County, including areas around Winfield and Port Washington. The Ohio locations represent early 1845 scenes in which protagonist Levi Zendt decides to purchase a covered wagon and leave Pennsylvania to travel west.

Hibner first encountered “Centennial” in middle school and was 14 when the miniseries first aired. A retired journalist and teacher, he worked for 25 years in the sports department of the Wisconsin State Journal and taught social studies and journalism at Green Lake High School in Wisconsin.

The program will be held at the Dover Public Library, 525 N. Walnut St. To register, visit doverlibrary.org/events or call 330-343-6123.