The Board of Directors and staff at the National Orphan Train Complex (NOTC) have much to be thankful for in this month that precedes the holiday of Thanksgiving. The NOTC is operated by a private 501c3 corporation. Operations are entirely funded by admission fees, gift shop sales, and donations. It is always a struggle for us to make ends meet, and there is never any excess income for special projects. NOTC receives no federal, state, or local tax dollars but has been able to remain free of debt. We do depend heavily on grant funding to ensure special projects can be achieved.
We are so grateful for a grant from the Community Foundation for Cloud County. Through the Impact Fund for Cloud County, we were recently awarded $4,200 to help reprint Volume 3 of “Orphan Train Riders: Their Own Stories,” compiled by our founder, Mary Ellen Johnson of Springdale, Ark., who passed away in August. Through a lifetime of devotion to preserving the history of the Orphan Train movement, six volumes of stories were collected from Orphan Train Riders and their descendants. Six volumes sound like many stories, but each volume records only 25 to 30 stories, resulting in a total of under 200 stories. Considering that approximately 250,000 children were placed out during the 75 years of Orphan Train history, you can see that these volumes have barely scratched the surface. Our museum and welcome center do house information about 8,000-plus Orphan Train Riders; still just a fraction of those 250,000. We add new files every week, which moves us one story closer.
The National Orphan Train Complex also appreciates the opportunity to apply for and receive funding for special projects from the Cloud County Wind Farm Fund. The county commissioners provided the means for NOTC to realize a twenty-year-old goal. This fall, an underground sprinkler system was installed in the main part of our courtyard near the Welcome Center and Jones Education Station. The three remaining areas to be landscaped around the original statues were completed, and new grass was planted in the courtyard area. What a difference this has made to the overall attractiveness of our grounds! Since the complex opened in 2007, staff have diligently watered the grass by moving hoses and sprinklers around all summer long. Usually, by this time of the year, everyone was too worn out to care how the grass looked. Now all we need to water by hand are the beautiful flower pots provided by Cloud County Tourism!
Lush green grass has really spruced up the courtyard at NOTC, thanks to a grant from the Cloud County Wind Farm fund.
Courtesy Photo of National Orphan Train Complex
Speaking of Cloud County Tourism, we can never thank that organization adequately for all the assistance provided to NOTC over the years. They are always the first to help us with funding for our Annual Celebration of Orphan Train Riders to bring special speakers and events to Concordia. They are responsible for signage in several locations, which helps to bring visitors to the museum. We always ask our visitors how they found out about our museum. “We saw the sign on I-70 (or Highway 24 or 36)” is the most common response. Tourism also promotes NOTC and other Cloud County attractions in advertising venues. They are tireless supporters!
Over the years, we have been able to rely on assistance from the Duclos Foundation. Most recently, a new laptop computer for our head researcher was provided through Duclos's funds. We also were able to install a metal ramp to the main door of the museum for handicap access a couple of years back. These are smaller, but very necessary, projects for which we are indebted.
Local grants like the ones mentioned above are important to the National Orphan Train Complex. They allow us to maintain a top-notch attraction that nearly 5000 visitors from across the nation visit every year.
In early spring 2026, there will be some noticeable activity at the NOTC. Through grants from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Kansas State Historical Society’s Heritage Trust Fund, work will begin to stabilize and repair the foundation of the more than 100-year-old Union Pacific Depot. This depot houses the main part of the Orphan Train Museum. Drainage issues will be addressed, and new brick will provide a more level pedestrian surface. This has been a long time coming, but it would not be possible without grants and private donations.
On behalf of the National Orphan Train Complex Board of Directors and staff, we express enormous gratitude to all who work for these organizations!
NOTC volunteers Karen Freeman, left, and Sister Linda Davis are thrilled to hear that Vol. 3 of "Orphan Train Riders: Their Own Stories" is being reprinted thanks to an impact grant for Cloud County.
Courtesy Photo of National Orphan Train Complex
