The 17th Annual Celebration of Orphan Train Riders will be held in Concordia, Kansas, May 30 through June 1. Pre-registration is currently taking place. Those interested may call the museum at 785-243-4471 Tuesday through Saturday, or check the Event tab on the website at orphantraindepot.org. Anyone wishing to register for the entire Celebration should do so by May 24. Other than three ticketed meals, all events are free and open to the public.
This year’s celebration is made possible by major underwriting provided by Cloud County Tourism and Robert F. Summers II of Norman, Oklahoma. Additional underwriting was provided by the Catholic Thrift Shop, Gary and Joan Fraser, Central National Bank, Citizens National Bank, Concordia Automart, Elk State Bank, and Cunningham Telephone and Cable, all of Concordia. The First National Bank of Hope at Miltonvale and Rolling Hills Electric, Beloit, also provided underwriting. The Board of Directors of the National Orphan Train Complex express gratitude to these donors.
THREE TICKETED EVENTS
- Sneak Peek, May 30, 7 to 9 pm, at the museum. $15
- Lunch, 12 to 1:15 pm, June 1, at Nazareth Motherhouse. $15
- President’s Award Banquet, 6:30 pm, June 1. $25
FREE EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, May 31, special events, Morgan-Dowell Research Center at the Complex
- 8:30 am Welcome
- 9 am Ribbon cutting for The Train Station
- 10:15 am Curator Shaley George presentation, donors in New York City who helped influence the Orphan Train Movement from 1864 to 1929.
- 1:15 pm Lori Halfhide, Head Researcher for NOTC, local placement committees formed and utilized by the Children’s Aid Society during the placing out process.
- 2:30 pm Susanna Pitzer, Concordia native, public reading of new children’s book, Mabel and Elky Ride the Orphan Train followed by book sales and signings.
- 4 pm, Statue unveiling Central National Bank pocket park on the corner of 8th and Lincoln
- 6 pm, Two statues unveiled, Cloud County Tourism office followed by a party and statue tours.
Saturday, June 1, events held at the Motherhouse Auditorium, 12th and Washington.
- 9:15 am Keynote speaker Kris Erickson, San Diego, Calif., grandson of Mabel Gummersell, will share details of her ride.
- 10:45 am, Forum-style discussion featuring other descendants of Orphan Train Riders.
- 1:30 pm, Shaley George will toast “Happy 150th Birthday” to the New York Foundling Hospital.