Pony Express Museum marks 28 years of ‘Tuesday Night Talks’ series

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- The Pony Express Museum will begin its annual Tuesday Night Talks series on Jan. 13 as part of efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. 

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the weekly lecture series, which runs throughout the months of January and February.

The talks explore local history and highlight significant topics from the 1800s in St. Joseph. 

Pony Express Museum Executive Director Cindy Daffron said the idea for Tuesday Night Talks started nearly three decades ago as a way to connect with the local community. 

“The first year when they redid it they had to put an expansion onto the room. They had to take it to a different location because there were too many people in that small room,” Daffron said.  

Each week, local historians or community members lead a 30- to 40-minute talk, often bringing along artifacts to share with the audience.  

Daffron said that hands-on element helps make history feel more personal. 

She added that while some attendees are passionate about St. Joseph history specifically, others simply enjoy learning something new.  

“Come early and have a hot chocolate or tea or coffee and some other appetizers and then you can also have the opportunity once the speaker is done presenting to ask questions,” Daffron said.  

Daffron emphasized that no matter where someone is from, there’s always something new to discover.  

This year’s series feels especially meaningful, as Daffron has seen attendees who once came as children now returning as adults.  

“These people come because they are all friends. A lot of people are just sitting and talking and now they meet up have their fellowship and connect with their families,” Daffron added.  

Daffron hopes the tradition continues, noting that adding food to Tuesday nights has helped create a welcoming, community-centered atmosphere. 

The museum also aims to go beyond its walls and stay actively connected to the community. 

“Last year on museum day we have 3133 people in one day through our facility so what it tells me that if you give an opportunity to local people they wanna come and look,” Daffron said.  

The Tuesday Night Talks will run for about six weeks and community members are encouraged to join the Pony Express Museum staff to learn more about St. Joseph’s history and how it ties into the bigger picture of American history.