National Orphan Train Complex

We are the National Orphan Train Complex - the only museum exclusively dedicated to orphan train history!
Check us out on Facebook & Instagram @orphantraindepot

[KSN News Wichita @KSNNews]

The #KSNSummerRoadTrip is Concordia at the Broadway Plaza. It was nice to enjoy some cupcakes and lemonade! https://t.co/HJeqOaLHQL @CloudKSTourism @BrownGrand1907 @OrphanTrainDepo

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Stop by to check out our new display about John and Austin Porter. The Porter brothers were separated, and were sent on trains to different states. It was a miracle when in 1918, both were drafted to serve in WWI and were sent to the same training camp, where they reunited.

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Mabel and her toy elephant, Elky, rode the orphan train to Missouri in 1901. Elky has been hard at work telling their story in the Education Station for almost a year, and it is time for her to get some rest! But don't worry - we still have their story available in our gift shop.

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Are you searching for an orphan train ancestor and considering using DNA? Check out the Facebook Group Orphan Train DNA! Also, take a look at this helpful blog post by Greg Markway about how to get started. https://t.co/EBVaATpwmQ

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Stop by today to see our new exhibit about Jewish Orphan Train Riders! #orphantrain #JewishHistory

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Hazelle was able to take the watch with her when she was placed with a family in Texas. It always makes our curator a little sad that this 11 year old girl was separated from her mother, who loved her so much, but also happy that she got to keep a piece of her mom with her. (3/3)

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Today is #AskAMuseum Day! @historygirl97 asked, "Is there a piece within your collection that makes you feel a certain way?" Yes! Our curator has strong feelings about a little pocket watch in our collection (1/3)

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

The watch belonged to Hazelle Boxberg, and before she owned it, it belonged to her mother, Marie Boxberg (her initials are on the back). Marie was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and went to live in a hospital. Meanwhile, Hazelle was sent on an orphan train. (2/3)

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Don't forget: tomorrow is #AskAMuseum day! Comment below with your questions about our museum, orphan train history, or anything else. We will post answers tomorrow!

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Family Search finished digitizing our collection of Home for the Friendless books and papers last week. Thank you, Michael, for taking on this project! We will post again when the images are available online. #FamilySearch #orphantrain #Genealogy

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

September 14th is #AskAMuseum Day! Tag us in a post, comment below, or send us a message with your questions. Ask us anything about orphan trains, our museum, or what goes on behind the scenes at NOTC, and we will post our answers on the 14th!

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

A: Luckily, those skills are what got me the job here, because I didn't know very much about orphan trains before I took this position, although I had researched the same time period (1840's-1920's) for my senior thesis. #AskACurator #AskACuratorDay

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

We got a great question from Facebook: What schooling and/or experience does it take to become a curator for a unique museum like the NOTC? Did you know much about the orphan trains before connecting with the museum in Concordia? #askacuratorday2021

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

A: I have a bachelor's degree in art history and a museum studies certificate. I also had 5+ years of museum experience before coming here. My school and museum experience taught me how to research, write for general audiences, interact with visitors, and care for museum objects.

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Our curator's toolkit: PastPerfect (our museum database), pencils, tape measures, gloves, tissue paper, and lots of acid-free folders! #askacuratorday2021 #AskACurator

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

I didn't expect to be so involved in our community. But I love that about National Orphan Train Complex. We work with local business to create exhibits and signs. We have statues all over our town. And we try to give back to community members whenever we can. #askacuratorday2021

[Kiersten @kierstenlaclede]

Was there an aspect of being a curator that you didn’t expect to be doing? #AskACuratorDay

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Dying to know what goes on behind the scenes at NOTC? Tomorrow is #askacurator day - so use the hashtag or tag us with your questions and curator Kaily Carson will answer!

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

These objects have stayed in the family for generations, until they were given to NOTC. We will take care of them and use them to tell Hazelle’s story. What kinds of objects have been in your family for a few generations? (3/3)

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

Last year, we received some wonderful artifacts that belonged to orphan train rider Hazelle Boxberg. Most children who rode orphan train were not allowed to bring many personal items with them. This was meant to encourage children to leave their “old” life behind (1/3)

[National Orphan Train Complex @OrphanTrainDepo]

and fully embrace their “new” life and family in the West. Hazelle, however, was able to keep many objects that her mother, Marie, had given her, including some sewing tools, a necklace, a set of traveling cups from Ellis Island, a monogrammed watch, and her eyeglasses. (2/3)