Registration Due This Week for 21st Annual Celebration of Orphan Train Riders
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.
Heather Bigwood, Curator of the National Orphan Train Complex, says 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 on June 6th, 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, 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.
National Orphan Train Complex Head of Research Lori Halfhide will also have a presentation focusing 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 on June 7th, 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 Friday'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.
The complete schedule of events is available at orphantraindepot.org. Registrations are still being accepted and will end May 10th. To register, call (785) 243-4471 Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.