Wauseon, OH – Enjoy an afternoon of fun and delicious food as you discover the true adventures of hobos during the Museum of Fulton County’s annual Hobo Day. This free, family event will be held on Saturday, September 28 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Wauseon Depot.
“We look forward to having families and friends gather at the historic Wauseon Depot for our annual Hobo Day,” shared John Swearingen, director of the Museum of Fulton County.
“This popular fall event is a fun opportunity to get together with others in the community for a delicious meal, fun activities, and the chance to learn a little more about our local history.”
Guests of all ages will enjoy exploring the old New York Central Depot and learning about model trains. A real “Hobo Dinner” will also be served at this community event.
Guests can enjoy a delicious meal of sausage, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, corn bread, dessert, and a beverage. A free will donation is suggested to help cover the expenses of this traditional meal.
“Hobos were unemployed men who travelled across the country looking for work. With no employment prospects at home, they would take to the rails in search of any job,” Swearingen shared.
“Many hobos would travel for free by jumping on and off the box cars of trains. At the height of the Great Depression, it is estimated that nearly 20,000 men were hobos. These men created their own culture with a unique language and foodways.”
The Wauseon Depot is located at 225 Depot Street in downtown Wauseon. Built in 1896, the depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and currently houses railroad artifacts and a model train display.
It served passengers of the railroad until the mid-1970s. The depot is currently owned by the City of Wauseon and is managed by the Fulton County Historical Society.
Hobo Day is presented annually by the Museum of Fulton County which features the permanent exhibit “Preserving the Past, Embracing the Present, and Making the Future”.
Two special exhibits are also on display – the “All Aboard” Train exhibit and a new “We the People” exhibit (opening October 2). Other special events planned this year include the Haunting History Tours on October 25 and 26 and the Christmas at the Cabin event held in December at the fairgrounds.
The Fulton County Museum and Legacy Gift Shop are located at 8848 State Highway 108, across from the Fulton County Fairgrounds. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Admission to the Museum of Fulton County is only $8 for adults 16 and up, $7 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 6-15. Members and children under 6 are free.
The museum also offers free admission to all active-duty military and veterans and offers discounted $1.00 admission to families with a SNAP/EBT card as part of the Museums for All program.
A discount is also available to Sauder Village members. Museum of Fulton County memberships are available for purchase online or at the museum.
To learn more about the Hobo Day event, memberships, other special events, or how to plan a visit to the Museum of Fulton County call 419-337-7922 or visit museumoffultoncounty.org. Additional information is also available on the museum Facebook and Instagram pages.