Hobo Cultural History: Stories of Authenticity and Misrepresentation

Hoboes, tramps, and vagabonds have long been subject to stories of both authentic life experiences in the road and subject to stories of misrepresented peoples. The cultural stereotypes that seek to define the image of the freight-hopping worker are continuously competing against the real, authentic stories of life on the road that are at risk of being completely lost in memory. Today, the preservation of the artifacts, documents, stories, and creative works that remain is a critical step toward not only safeguarding the authenticity of the traveler but also combating the misrepresentations and stereotypes that continue to dominate the public imaginations of the traveler. This exhibit is dedicated to sharing stories of both authencity and misrepresentation through the cultural histories of hoboing, trampign, and vagabonding in America. Scroll through the exhibit to learn more about the storytelling and cultural traditions that are a part of the ongoing effort to secure the identity, history, and heritage of the traveling worker.