Abilene Preservation League

08/25/2026

📸 VENUE & WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT 📸

This year, we are proud to partner with the Center for Contemporary Arts to offer TWO railroad photography sessions led by professional railroad photographer Ken Fitzgerald!

With decades of experience photographing America’s railroads, Ken has been contracted by BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, Fort Worth & Western, TEXRail, and more. Now, he’s bringing that expertise to our Railroad Festival!
During these one-hour lecture sessions, Ken will share his skills, techniques, and approach to capturing the beauty, history, and excitement of the world’s railroads.

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or simply love trains, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!

Workshop sessions are limited, so grab your spot! Visit the link below!
*NOTE: Workshops are FREE with the purchase of a festival pass*
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fbwrce/event/arf26/

08/24/2026

🚂 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 🚂

Thank you to Condley and Company, LLP for their generous "Road-Master" sponsorship for the upcoming 3rd Annual Abilene Railroad Festival!

Their support helps bring our community together to celebrate Abilene’s rich railroad history, and we’re incredibly grateful for their generosity and commitment to preserving and sharing these stories.

There's still time to purchase your festival passes, for festival day on September 12th! Visit the link below:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fbwrce/event/arf26/

08/21/2026

Did you know 80% of strokes are preventable according to the American Heart Association?

Life Line Screening provides valuable health screenings to detect the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Life Line Screening will be at our space - The Elks Arts Center on Thursday, August 27, 2026 and will be offering a special screening package for our members. Learn more and schedule your appointment by calling 1-800-324-9458, texting the word circle to 216-279-1607 or visit Life Line Screening’s website at LLSA.SOCIAL/HABC

There is no time like the present to take action!

Occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet are narrowed by plaque. This can lead to pain and tissue death.  

08/20/2026

PRESENTATION SPOTLIGHT 🎤
Introducing Gideon Menken!

A vagabond of West Texas, Gideon L. Menken has spent a majority of his life in the Abilene area, and is currently attending Hardin-Simmons University as a History Major. 🎓

Throughout his life, he has always been interested in historic machinery, starting with automotive vehicles and internal combustion engines.
In the past couple of years, however, through dedicated and intensive research, he has quickly become one of the experts of railroad history in this area, although his scope encompasses the entire state.
His interests include railway history, historic railroad preservation, theology, theatrical acting, world-wide travel, mechanical work of various kinds, pocket watches, and genealogy. 🚂

He will be presenting over all the historic "Locomotives of the Wichita Valley Railway," which included the Abilene & Northern, Stamford & Northwestern, Wichita Valley Railroad, and the Wichita Falls & Oklahoma. We're excited to welcome Gideon and hear more about his passion for railroad history, at this year's festival! He will be located at the T&P Freight Depot, also known as Connect Church Of Abilene, and he will be presenting at 2pm.

Buy tickets for the festival here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fbwrce/event/arf26/

08/19/2026

🍪 COOKIE DECORATING IS BACK 🍪

A sweet shoutout to Moli McKay's Bakery Café for sponsoring the cookie decorating this year!

Join us for cookie decorating from 10am-2pm at the Elks Arts Center, in the ballroom!
Hop aboard and get ready to sprinkle some fun into your Railroad Festival day! 🚂
Buy your festival passes and cookie decorating passes here:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fbwrce/event/arf26/

*On the day of the festival - September 12th starting at 10am, you can buy cookie decorating passes at the T&P Depot, or at the Elks Arts Center*

08/17/2026

🚂 SUPPORTER SHOUTOUT 🚂

Thank you to Humanities Texas for supporting the upcoming Abilene Railroad Festival reception and presentation, specifically in celebration of the 1976 American Freedom Train!

REMINDER: Our public reception on September 11th, over at D&W Underground Event Venue from 6-8pm is a FREE event, with catering provided by Circa 1880, and a cash bar provided by Kao Lounge.

We can't wait to see you there!
And, if you haven't yet, buy tickets for the Railroad Festival on September 12th, at the link below.
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fbwrce/event/arf26/

08/14/2026

PRESENTATION SPOTLIGHT 🎤
Introducing Dusty Garison!

A proud Native Texan from Beaumont, Dusty lives in Haskell with his wife of more than 45 years, Kathy. He serves as a pastor and elder at First Methodist Church in Haskell and writes for The Haskell Star.

Beyond his work in the community, Dusty is a self-proclaimed certified train nut who loves riding, watching, and reading about trains. He’s also a fan of classic movies, film noir, blues and classic rock, cooking with cast iron, good coffee, and bourbon. 🚂🥃

Dusty will be presenting on the history of the Stamford & Northwestern Railway. The Railroad was chartered in 1909, building from Stamford, TX to Spur, TX and remaining in use until the late 1960's.
We’re excited to welcome Dusty and hear him share his passion and stories with us at this year’s festival!

Buy tickets for the festival here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fbwrce/event/arf26/

08/14/2026

Check out this KTAB/KRBC interview about our upcoming Railroad Festival! Hear more about the history behind this wonderful event!

Thank you again to KTAB News & KRBC News for talking with our Executive Director Abigail and our Railroad Festival Director Corrender about ARF! 🤎🚂

08/14/2026

🪩 PROM NIGHT ALERT 🪩

There's been a murder at Mayhem High aka the Elks Ballroom...and EVERYONE is a suspect! Think you can crack the case? 🔎

Buy tickets at the link below and participate as an actor or amateur detective:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/murdermysterynight25/event/totallyrad80sprommurdermystery/

08/13/2026

Check out the new "Abilene People" podcast with our Executive Director Abigail Payne, and host Danny Sims!

Abigail Payne, Executive Director of the Abilene Preservation League, discussed the organization’s efforts to revitalize historic local landmarks and preserve the city’s cultural identi…