Author Talks

Hagley regularly arranges talks by authors of recent books that draw on or relate to Hagley research collections and that will be of interest to the general public. With topics ranging broadly in the areas of business, culture, and history, these author talks provide a captivating way to learn more about the stories contained in Hagley’s collections.

Author talks begin promptly at 7 p.m. and are held in Hagley’s Soda House building. The talk is followed by an opportunity for audience discussion and purchases of the author’s book. Light refreshments are provided. The event ends by 8:15 p.m.

Use Hagley's Buck Road East entrance off Route 100 in Wilmington, Delaware. Advance registration is free but required; proof of registration may be needed to enter event. Registrations must be made by using the Eventbrite links on each author talk page.

Upcoming Author Talks

2025 - 2026 Series

  • Thu, Mar 5 2026 :
    Al Churella.

    Al Churella will return to Hagley for a talk based on the final volume of his landmark series. The Pennsylvania Railroad: Volume 3, The Long Decline, 1933-1968 concludes the story of this iconic transportation company, covering its long decline from the 1930s to its merger with the New York Central Railroad in 1968 to create the Penn Central. For his talk at Hagley, Churella will look closely at the end of his saga, the biggest merger in the history of American business that united the nation's two most famous railroads—the Pennsylvania and the New York Central. That union, a decade in the making, soon gave rise to the largest bankruptcy in the United States. More than the story of two failing railroads, the creation of Penn Central reflected the ills that plagued the railroad industry and the efforts of strong-willed individuals in business and government to reshape national economic priorities.

Past Author Talks

2019 - 2020 Series -- View Series PDF

2017 - 2018 Series -- View Series PDF

2016 - 2017 Series -- View Series PDF

2015 - 2016 Series -- View Series PDF

2014 - 2015 Series -- View Series PDF

2013 - 2014 Series -- View Series PDF