20th Annual Orphan Train Rider Celebration Begins Thursday in Concordia

The 20th Annual Orphan Train Rider Celebration will begin Thursday, June 1st in Concordia.

The National Orphan Train Complex, located at 300 Washington Street, is dedicated to the preservation of the stories and artifacts of those who were part of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854 to 1929.  Its mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and disseminate knowledge about the orphan trains, and the children and agents who rode them.

This weekend, the National Orphan Train Complex plans to celebrate 20 years of research, education and preservation during its Annual Celebration of Orphan Train Riders.

Kaily Carson, Curator of the National Orphan Train Complex, says the celebrations began as reunions of Orphan Train Riders and their descendants. 

Carson says the celebration begins Thursday at 3 pm with the unveiling of new statue plaques in the courtyard at the complex.

From 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, attendees are invited to tour local attractions in Concordia and Cloud County, as well as taking a stroll through town to visit the Orphan Train Statues in the community, each representing a real Orphan Train rider and sponsored by a business, family, or organization.

To view a complete schedule of events, visit orphantraindepot.org.