Updated: 10/3/2023 
National Orphan Train Complex
Concordia, Kansas
Description

The National Orphan Train Complex Museum and Research Center are dedicated to the preservation of the stories and artifacts of those who were part of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929.

Mission

The mission of the National Orphan Train Complex is to collect, preserve, interpret, and disseminate knowledge about the orphan trains, and the children and agents who rode them.

History

See website (https://orphantraindepot.org/general-information/) for full history.

Between 1854 and 1929, an estimated 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children were transported to rural communities across the country in hopes of providing a better life for them.

Artifact Collections

Photographs, documents, and other personal items belonging to orphan train riders, their families, and the organizations that sent them West to find new homes.

Research Collections

Files on approximately 8,000 orphan train riders are available for research with advance request.

Programs

Offer field trips, work with teachers for other needs upon request.

Library

f we do not currently have information on the orphan train rider you are looking for, we offer research services. We utilize public records to find information such as when a rider rode the train, which agent they travelled with, and any news articles about their placement. To request research on a rider, please print and mail the Research-Registry Form and the research fee to the address on our website. Research requests are generally completed within 3 months, but may take longer if we have a high volume of requests.

ur current research fee is $30 per hour per name, minimum of 2 hours, plus a shipping/handling fee of $5. Once the total payment of $65 (per child) is received and research is complete, we will mail you all the information we found, and add to or create a file for our records.

No walk-in research will be conducted without prior reservation.

Access: General Public

Appointment required: True

Services
Gift Shop
Group Tours
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

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