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Greeley History Museum Hosts Author Talk on the Making of Centennial

September 16, 2026
Two images together, with a book cover on the left showing a prairie and mountains with an old wooden wagon in the foreground. Author Perry Hibner’s photo is on the right.

Author Perry Hibner interviewed more than 75 cast, crew, and local residents for his book, “Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries.”

GREELEY, Colo. —The Greeley Historic Preservation Commission invites the public to a free presentation at the Greeley History Museum.

On September 24, author Perry Hibner will present his new book Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries. The book features more than 75 interviews with actors, crew members, extras, local residents, experts, and fans of the Centennial TV miniseries. It includes interviews with major cast members, including Gregory Harrison, Barbara Carrera, and Mark Harmon, as well as John Wilder, who adapted the novel for TV and served as the main producer. The book also uses excerpts from more than 60 original sources.

The 12-part, 26-hour miniseries aired on NBC in 1978 and 1979. More than 28 million households watched the first episode on October 1, 1978.  

Hibner’s book gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the miniseries. Actors explain how they were cast, and the Centennial family shares memories of the production. They also remember cast members who have died, including Robert Conrad, Richard Chamberlain, Brian Keith, Chad Everett, and Sally Kellerman.

The presentation will be at noon at the Greeley History Museum, 714 8th Street, in the Community Room.  

Perry Hibner

Perry Hibner is a retired journalist and teacher. He taught social studies and journalism at Green Lake High School in Wisconsin. He also worked for the Wisconsin State Journal and served as the communications director for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. He lives in Middleton, Wisconsin, with his wife, Sheila. They have three adult children.

Upcoming History Hour presentations:

  • October 15 – “Confluence: A History of Greeley Water (2nd ed.),” by Dr. Michael Welsh
  • October 22 – Out of Many Am I, by Tony Arguello

The presentations are free and open to the public and no reservations are required.  

For more information, contact Betsy Kellums in the Historic Preservation Office at hpo@greeleygov.com or betsy.kellums@greeleygov.com or (970) 350-9222.