I toured the orphan train museum and traveled around Concordia, Kansas viewing the many statues representing so many children who found homes in the west. (34 statues throughout town, only a handful pictured here) The orphan train movement was one of the largest social reform relocation efforts in United States history. It is basically the beginning of what became the foster care system & it also inspired a lot of the social working occupations. It was definitely worth the stop, and it's nice to see an entire town embracing/preserving history. If you go, take some time just to hang out with the wonderful women who work there. They have so many stories and insights into the history of this movement. read more

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This museum was very good but it was kind of sad to know that over 100,000+ kids were sent out on trains. It was very good to see what happened with many of the kids but it definitely pulled at the heart strings. If you are going to Concordia I would go to this museum and the POW museum just north of town. read more

This place is very interesting and is the only place to learn about a movement that changed our entire nation as the Children's Aid Society was the first not only to place orphans, but also the first farm schools, vocational schools, kindergarten, free and discounted medical and dental offices, nurseries, school nurse programs, schools for handicapped children, and the first schools for blacks post-civil war. It's now $8 per admission, BUT they are NOT funded by tax dollars, state, federal, or local. Very worth a stop. We even showed up too late and they let us tour anyway because they're so passionate about this work that continues today in the attached research center. read more

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Interesting story but a work in progress. Takes about a hour and price is a bit high at $7.00 for adults. This is the NATIONAL gathering locations now for records for many different state agencies or groups who sent kids west. Prime is the New York society. Intro movie could be much better but a start like I said before. read more

I've been in Kansas for years had to do research on the orphan train back in school I have see tv shows about it and even seen some billboards about it never have I got the chance to go until now. This is a great place to go as a family or by yourself. Great for any history buff. You never no maybe you are related to one of the riders. The admission is pretty cheep only 7 dollars for adults. This is a self guided tour picture friendly. The staff are very friendly and will answer any questions you may have. It only took me less than an hour to get there Fromm where I live. I've never been to Concordia before but there are sings posted to lead the way very easy to find outside the building there are a few sets of tracks you have to cross over to get to the parking lot that are really rough but all in all a great place to visit. read more

I had no idea of the history of orphans a century ago from the big East coast cities and how they found homes by being put on trains to the farmlands of America. At first blush you might think it was exploiting the kids because they would go to families and farms where they would help the farm succeed. But this little museum bears the testimonies of children who were so happy to find a stable home after roaming the big cities as homeless orphans. read more