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| Recent News |
| Recent Donations |
This sculpture was donated to the Complex by Peter Heckman of Lincoln, Nebraska. The
piece was created by artist Rana Schmitz as part of the "Stories of Home" sponsored by
the Lincoln Arts Council. It is a depiction of the life of Orphan Train Rider Anne Harrison,
who currently lives in Lincoln Nebraska. Anne rode the train from the New York
Foundling Hospital to Colorado Springs, Colorado. To read her story click here.
piece was created by artist Rana Schmitz as part of the "Stories of Home" sponsored by
the Lincoln Arts Council. It is a depiction of the life of Orphan Train Rider Anne Harrison,
who currently lives in Lincoln Nebraska. Anne rode the train from the New York
Foundling Hospital to Colorado Springs, Colorado. To read her story click here.
This "Chinaman Doll" was one of two toys brought on the train ride from New York
City to Missouri by Orphan Train Rider Mabel Gumersell Erickson. To read about
her experience click here. Most children did not have many possessions to bring
with them to their new homes, but some carried personal items, such as toys or
books to help remind them of home.
City to Missouri by Orphan Train Rider Mabel Gumersell Erickson. To read about
her experience click here. Most children did not have many possessions to bring
with them to their new homes, but some carried personal items, such as toys or
books to help remind them of home.
| 2008 "We the People" Grant Awarded from the National Endowment for the Humanities In January of 2008, the National Orphan Train Complex was awarded a grant of $5,000 for the preservation of our collection of artifacts and historical documents. These funds have helped purchase archival-safe storage material, which will create better access to the collection by making it more organized. The goal of the “We the People” initiative is to encourage and strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture through the support of projects that explore significant events and themes in our nation’s history and culture and that advance knowledge of the principles that define America For more information on the National Endowment for the Humanities, visit their website at www.neh.gov |
| OTHSA Announces Merger with NOTC The Orphan Train Heritage Society of America has announced its merger with the National Orphan Train Complex. The merger will be effective starting January 1, 2008. To read more about this exciting partnership click here. |
| Recent Orphan Train Rider Passings |
To view obituaries for Orphan Train Riders who have recently passed away click here.
Orphan Train Museum Debuts Fred Harvey Exhibit
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Orphan Train Rider who later became a Harvey Girl!
