21st Annual Celebration for the National Orphan Train Complex on June 8, 2024

The Board of Directors for the National Orphan Train Complex will host visitors from across the nation on June 6th, 7th and 8th in an annual celebration that honors children who rode trains from the east to find new homes and families.  This 75-year period of history documents the largest mass migration of children in the United States.

The 21st Annual Celebration in Concordia is made possible by Reliable Heating and Air Conditioning, Citizens National Bank, Elk State Bank, Cunningham Telephone and Cable, Cloud Republic County Title Company, Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, F&A Food Sales, Gerard Tank and Steel, Hood Heating, Air, Plumbing, Electric; Thummel Real Estate and Auction, Duis Meat Processing.

Events will kick off on Thursday June 6th with free tours of the museum and check in for those who have pre-registered for the weekend celebration.  At 5 pm, two new window coverings in the Jones Education Station and two new courtyard plaques will be dedicated at the Complex.

Friday, June 7th, the Celebration continues at Warehouse 315 on West Fifth Street.  Beginning at 9:30 am, events will feature new Curator Heather Bigwood and National Orphan Train Complex Head of Research, Lori Halfhide.  Bigwood will provide a unique experience by hosting a simulated placing out of Riders, modeled on the Children's Aid Society placements.  Attendees will have the opportunity to participate as an Orphan Train Rider or as a new parent hoping to receive a child.  Halfhide's presentation will focus on the male agents of the Children's Aid Society who accompanied Orphan Train Riders, and conducted placements and follow-up checks.

At 1:30 pm, award-winning author Andrea Warren will showcase her experience writing the National Orphan Train Complex bestselling book, “We Rode the Orphan Trains,” followed by a book signing.  Warren also authored “Orphan Trains: One Boy’s True Story,” sold in the National Orphan Train Complex gift shop.  A highlight of Saturday’s events will include the sharing of stories by Orphan Train Descendants. Other events include a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle, and a presentation by the local Daughters of the American Revolution.

Two ticketed events will complete the Friday Celebration events.  A catered reception for those registered will be followed by a screening of “The Chaperone” by Laura Moriarty.  The PBS film directed by Julian Fellows will be open to the public for tickets at the door.

The final day of Celebration, Saturday, June 8th, will begin at 9 am, again at Warehouse 315, when National Orphan Train Complex welcomes Paul Clarke, the keynote speaker.  Clarke is the archivist for the Children’s Aid Society in New York City.  He will discuss situations and conditions in New York during the time the Orphan Trains were operating.  The finale for the three-day Celebration of Orphan Train Riders will be the award luncheon, the last ticketed event for those registered.

The complete schedule of events is available at orphantraindepot.org.  Registrations are still being accepted; information is available online or by calling 785-243-4471 Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.  Registration will end May 10th.  The public is invited to register; everyone is welcome to attend events that do not require a ticket.  Two ticketed events require registration in advance.
 This 75-year period of history documents the largest mass migration of children in the United States.

The 21st Annual Celebration in Concordia is made possible by Reliable Heating and Air Conditioning, Citizens National Bank, Elk State Bank, Cunningham Telephone and Cable, Cloud Republic County Title Company, Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, F&A Food Sales, Gerard Tank and Steel, Hood Heating, Air, Plumbing, Electric; Thummel Real Estate and Auction, Duis Meat Processing.

Events will kick off on Thursday June 6th with free tours of the museum and check in for those who have pre-registered for the weekend celebration.  At 5 pm, two new window coverings in the Jones Education Station and two new courtyard plaques will be dedicated at the Complex.

Friday, June 7th, the Celebration continues at Warehouse 315 on West Fifth Street.  Beginning at 9:30 am, events will feature new Curator Heather Bigwood and National Orphan Train Complex Head of Research, Lori Halfhide.  Bigwood will provide a unique experience by hosting a simulated placing out of Riders, modeled on the Children's Aid Society placements.  Attendees will have the opportunity to participate as an Orphan Train Rider or as a new parent hoping to receive a child.  Halfhide's presentation will focus on the male agents of the Children's Aid Society who accompanied Orphan Train Riders, and conducted placements and follow-up checks.

At 1:30 pm, award-winning author Andrea Warren will showcase her experience writing the National Orphan Train Complex bestselling book, “We Rode the Orphan Trains,” followed by a book signing.  Warren also authored “Orphan Trains: One Boy’s True Story,” sold in the National Orphan Train Complex gift shop.  A highlight of Saturday’s events will include the sharing of stories by Orphan Train Descendants. Other events include a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle, and a presentation by the local Daughters of the American Revolution.

Two ticketed events will complete the Friday Celebration events.  A catered reception for those registered will be followed by a screening of “The Chaperone” by Laura Moriarty.  The PBS film directed by Julian Fellows will be open to the public for tickets at the door.

The final day of Celebration, Saturday, June 8th, will begin at 9 am, again at Warehouse 315, when National Orphan Train Complex welcomes Paul Clarke, the keynote speaker.  Clarke is the archivist for the Children’s Aid Society in New York City.  He will discuss situations and conditions in New York during the time the Orphan Trains were operating.  The finale for the three-day Celebration of Orphan Train Riders will be the award luncheon, the last ticketed event for those registered.

The complete schedule of events is available at orphantraindepot.org.  Registrations are still being accepted; information is available online or by calling 785-243-4471 Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.  Registration will end May 10th.  The public is invited to register; everyone is welcome to attend events that do not require a ticket.  Two ticketed events require registration in advance.