A Forgotten Journey: The National Orphan Train Legacy in Kansas

On the edge of Concordia, Kansas, stands a collection of buildings that preserve a chapter of American history often overlooked. The National Orphan Train Complex tells the powerful story of thousands of children, many from crowded cities such as Boston and New York, who were sent West during the Orphan Train Movement between 1854 and 1929. In an era marked by poverty, overcrowded orphanages, and limited social services, these children were placed on trains in hopes of finding new homes and new beginnings. Today, the complex remains the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to preserving this unique period of American history.

Over the course of 75 years, it is estimated that more than 200,000 children were relocated through the Orphan Train Movement, making it the largest child migration in U.S. history. Approximately 7,000 of those children found homes in Kansas, many with rural and farming families who needed extra hands but also offered stability and opportunity.

The museum brings these stories to life through a rich collection of artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts from the Orphan Train riders themselves, as well as from the agents who visited children after their placements to check on their well-being. Beyond the museum walls, the legacy of the Orphan Trains is visible throughout Concordia. Representative statues placed around the community stand in quiet tribute, honoring the resilience, courage, and enduring impact of the children whose journeys helped shape Kansas and the nation. Photos and story by Tanner Colvin.