 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| 2007 Orphan Train Grand Opening Celebration |
Three Orphan Train Riders, many
descendants, several state and local
dignitaries, and other interested
persons braved the blustery, damp
Kansas day in order to be among
the first to see the new museum. A
quick stroll through the courtyard to
see "the children" brought these
hardy Celebration attendees to the
Morgan-Dowell Research Center
and gift shop.
descendants, several state and local
dignitaries, and other interested
persons braved the blustery, damp
Kansas day in order to be among
the first to see the new museum. A
quick stroll through the courtyard to
see "the children" brought these
hardy Celebration attendees to the
Morgan-Dowell Research Center
and gift shop.
It will take a pretty big bow
to wrap up the 2007 Grand
Opening and Celebration of
the National Orphan Train
Complex and Orphan Train
Heritage Society of
America! Over 300 people
were on hand to witness the
ribbon cutting ceremony on
September 15 that officially
opened the Orphan Train
Museum in Concordia,
Kansas.
to wrap up the 2007 Grand
Opening and Celebration of
the National Orphan Train
Complex and Orphan Train
Heritage Society of
America! Over 300 people
were on hand to witness the
ribbon cutting ceremony on
September 15 that officially
opened the Orphan Train
Museum in Concordia,
Kansas.
Nebraska Orphan Train Riders
Anne Harrison, Lincoln; Lela
Newcombe, Columbus; and Lois
Gillett, Broken Bow, were the
guests of honor at the many
activities and events during the
weekend of September 13 though
15. Events included the premier of
the Smoky Hills Public Television
Documentary "Placing Out: The
Orphan Trains," the Riders' own
stories, Pippa White's performance
Anne Harrison, Lincoln; Lela
Newcombe, Columbus; and Lois
Gillett, Broken Bow, were the
guests of honor at the many
activities and events during the
weekend of September 13 though
15. Events included the premier of
the Smoky Hills Public Television
Documentary "Placing Out: The
Orphan Trains," the Riders' own
stories, Pippa White's performance
of "The Orphan Train," Grand Gala dinner with 20 Kansas legislators, 1st Infantry
Division Army Band from Ft. Riley, James Hill Memorial Cream Can Lunch, grand
opening ceremony, and Presidents' banquet filled the weekend with wonderful
memories.
Division Army Band from Ft. Riley, James Hill Memorial Cream Can Lunch, grand
opening ceremony, and Presidents' banquet filled the weekend with wonderful
memories.
Special guests Mary Ellen and Leroy
Johnson, Springdale, Arkansas, were
among those attending Saturday's events.
Mary Ellen, the founder of OTHSA,
provided the keynote address at the
Presidents' Banquet. This year marked
the 20th Anniversary of the Orphan Train
Heritage Society of America. President
Becky Higgins remarked that the 20th
anniversary gift is china, and she provided
china cups and saucers with cut flowers
for table decorations at the banquet.
Johnson, Springdale, Arkansas, were
among those attending Saturday's events.
Mary Ellen, the founder of OTHSA,
provided the keynote address at the
Presidents' Banquet. This year marked
the 20th Anniversary of the Orphan Train
Heritage Society of America. President
Becky Higgins remarked that the 20th
anniversary gift is china, and she provided
china cups and saucers with cut flowers
for table decorations at the banquet.
Bobby and Wanda Morgan, Ft.
Worth, Texas, were the recipients
of the OTHSA President's Award,
presented by Becky Higgins.
Bobby and Wanda generously
provided funding for the
Morgan-Dowell Research Center,
the Women's Waiting Room in the
Depot Museum, and the
wonderful children in the
courtyard. The OTHSA and
Worth, Texas, were the recipients
of the OTHSA President's Award,
presented by Becky Higgins.
Bobby and Wanda generously
provided funding for the
Morgan-Dowell Research Center,
the Women's Waiting Room in the
Depot Museum, and the
wonderful children in the
courtyard. The OTHSA and
NOTC committees can never adequately thank the Morgans for all they have
done to preserve the Orphan Train History.
done to preserve the Orphan Train History.
Gene Ganstrom, Concordia, Kansas was
the recipient of the Darrell and Ledona
Dowell Volunteer of the Year Award
presented by NOTC Vice President
Ledona Dowell. Gene has donated
hundreds of hours to restore an antique
stations master's desk and baggage cart,
and to build shelving for the gift shop and
display cases for the museum. He has
freely shared his time and woodworking
talents.
the recipient of the Darrell and Ledona
Dowell Volunteer of the Year Award
presented by NOTC Vice President
Ledona Dowell. Gene has donated
hundreds of hours to restore an antique
stations master's desk and baggage cart,
and to build shelving for the gift shop and
display cases for the museum. He has
freely shared his time and woodworking
talents.
As the NOTC Board of Directors reflects on the progress made and on this
milestone of finally opening the museum and research center, we are humbled
by the many hands that have reached out across the national to help make this
dream a reality. Hand in Hand with the Brown Grand Theatre, OTHSA, and the
Riders and their descendants, history has not only been celebrated but also
preserved for future generations.
milestone of finally opening the museum and research center, we are humbled
by the many hands that have reached out across the national to help make this
dream a reality. Hand in Hand with the Brown Grand Theatre, OTHSA, and the
Riders and their descendants, history has not only been celebrated but also
preserved for future generations.
| Article and photographs by Jessica LeDuc |