Browse Items (444 total)

Interview with Virginia Slim, Penny Pincher, Professor Bazinga, and Shutter Bug

IMG_1803.jpeg
Conversation about Virginia Slim's life on the rails, 1950's-1980's. His experiences at the Hobo Convention over the years. Virginia Slim sings some of his favorite songs and shares some of his favorite jokes.

Interview with Connecticut Tootsie

IMG_0070 copy.jpeg
Conversation with Connecticut Tootsie about her experiences hoboing, first time freight hopping, being elected hobo queen, and her involvement with the Hobo Convention in Britt.

Britt, IA or bust poster, National Hobo Convention

img20220126_12410851.jpg
Reprinted copy of post advertising Britt Hobo Convention. Image of hobo walking with bindlestiff, presumed to be Onion Cotton.

How to feed a party of 2,500

img20220126_12371070.jpg
Reprinted copy of newspaper article that explains the recipe for mulligan stew that is served in 55-gallon oil drums during Britt Hobo Days.

King of hoboes buried near tracks

Todd Walters and Mountain Dew.jpg
Printed newspaper article announcing the death of Mountain Dew. Page frayed, very delicate.

"How It All Began" pamphlet

img20220121_16144733.jpg
Brief history of the Britt Hobo Convetion and Tourists Union 63, beginning in 1900.

Hobo Foundation letter

img20220121_16042136.jpg
Letter sent from Concord, Vermont. Text lists Steamtrain Maury as President, Hood River Blackie as Vice President and Feather River John as Secretary-Treasurer. Correspondence of Hood River Blackie's death.

Inquiry 1973 for hobo king

img20220126_13472574.jpg
List of 103 questions given to candidates for hobo king. Used to determine authenticity of hoboing.

Hobo bottlecap figure

IMG_0498.JPG
Tramp art, small figure of hobo with arms made from bottlecaps. Small box of mismatch items is a part of the hobo figure.