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| Recent News |
| Recent Donations |
| Fred Harvey Exhibit On Loan: The Harvey Exhibit is now at the Harvey House Museum in Florence, Kansas The National Orphan Train Complex opened “Fred Harvey, and his 2,000 Mile Dining Room,” June 28, 2008 in honor of Fred Harvey’s 173rd birthday. The exhibit will remain up through fall 2009. |
The exhibit celebrates English-born Fred Harvey, who came to
the United States with little more than a pocketful of change.
But, Harvey used knowledge he acquired as a railroad mail
clerk along with experience in food service to establish America’
s first restaurant chain. Harvey’s first restaurant opened in
Topeka in l876.
the United States with little more than a pocketful of change.
But, Harvey used knowledge he acquired as a railroad mail
clerk along with experience in food service to establish America’
s first restaurant chain. Harvey’s first restaurant opened in
Topeka in l876.
In exclusive partnership with the Santa Fe railroad,
Harvey restaurants and hotels opened at 47 stops
from Chicago to California. Building a reputation for
serving food fast – not fast food -- Harvey built an
empire that stretched over 50 years. Highly skilled
waitresses known as Harvey Girls became standard
bearers for manners and correctness, hallmarks of
the Harvey system.
Harvey restaurants and hotels opened at 47 stops
from Chicago to California. Building a reputation for
serving food fast – not fast food -- Harvey built an
empire that stretched over 50 years. Highly skilled
waitresses known as Harvey Girls became standard
bearers for manners and correctness, hallmarks of
the Harvey system.
The exhibit tells the Fred Harvey story through vintage postcards of the many Harvey House depots built along
the Santa Fe railroad. Other displays feature Fred Harvey china, silver, travel guides, Harvey Girl memorabilia,
Fred Harvey Company correspondence, historical accounts, including artifacts from “The Harvey Girls,” the l946
MGM musical starring Judy Garland, and other collectibles.
the Santa Fe railroad. Other displays feature Fred Harvey china, silver, travel guides, Harvey Girl memorabilia,
Fred Harvey Company correspondence, historical accounts, including artifacts from “The Harvey Girls,” the l946
MGM musical starring Judy Garland, and other collectibles.
| Click here to read the stories of some of the Harvey Girls as told by their descendants. There is one story of an Orphan Train Rider who later became a Harvey Girl! |
Harvey died in l901 at his adopted home in
Leavenworth, Kansas, but his sons and grandson
continued to run operations until l968 when the
company was sold to Hawaiian-based conglomerate,
Amfac.
Leavenworth, Kansas, but his sons and grandson
continued to run operations until l968 when the
company was sold to Hawaiian-based conglomerate,
Amfac.
Donated by the Louisiana Orphan Train Society,
this print depicts the scene of a New York
Foundling Hospital placement in Opelousas, LA.
The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, opening in
Opelousas this fall, will have the same painting
as a mural on the museum. For more information
about the opening of the Louisiana museum
opening click here.
this print depicts the scene of a New York
Foundling Hospital placement in Opelousas, LA.
The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, opening in
Opelousas this fall, will have the same painting
as a mural on the museum. For more information
about the opening of the Louisiana museum
opening click here.
Eden Ahbez, born George Alexander Aberle in
Brooklyn, New York in 1908, was raised by a family in
Kansas. After arriving in Kansas, his foster family
raised him as George McGrew. He was an American
songwriter and recording artist from the 1940s-1960s,
whose lifestyle in California was influential on the hippie
movement. Ahbez is most famous for his song "Nature
Boy" recorded by Nat King Cole in 1947.
Brooklyn, New York in 1908, was raised by a family in
Kansas. After arriving in Kansas, his foster family
raised him as George McGrew. He was an American
songwriter and recording artist from the 1940s-1960s,
whose lifestyle in California was influential on the hippie
movement. Ahbez is most famous for his song "Nature
Boy" recorded by Nat King Cole in 1947.
Georgianna Frentz Dawson was an Orphan Train
Rider in 1911. Her granddaughter, Drinda Nigbur
wrote her story for the Orphan Train Riders
collection and in May of 2009 she and her mother
donated Georgiana’s Bible to the National Orphan
Train Complex. The Bible was given to Georgiana
by Sister Lucy when she entered the Church
Charity Orphanage in 1909.
Rider in 1911. Her granddaughter, Drinda Nigbur
wrote her story for the Orphan Train Riders
collection and in May of 2009 she and her mother
donated Georgiana’s Bible to the National Orphan
Train Complex. The Bible was given to Georgiana
by Sister Lucy when she entered the Church
Charity Orphanage in 1909.
| Renée Wendinger has published a new book about the Orphan Trains. The daughter of Orphan Train Rider Sophia (Kaminsky) Hillesheim, she has worked for the preservation of the history of the movement, and has shared the story of the Orphan Trains with people across the Midwest. (click here to visit the website and preview the book) |
| The Train Car Has Moved! |
Click on the picture to see the progress of the move and to read an
article about the history of this little train car. The restoration work
will take place at the Cloud County Museum and the public is
welcome to visit and see the progress.
article about the history of this little train car. The restoration work
will take place at the Cloud County Museum and the public is
welcome to visit and see the progress.
| Louisiana Orphan Train Museum featured on New Orleans News |
Click here to visit the Fox 8 Live website and see the video clip and read the full article.