Orphan Train Museum opens

The Orphan Train Museum opens today with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 AM.

Back in the early 1900's, trains of orphans out of New York City were sent down across the country to be placed with families. Father John Emberink, who was the pastor of St. Landry Catholic Church, led the effort to find homes for the children who came to our area. The orphans and their descendants have made a huge impact on our parish and are a large part of our multicultural mix.

A new museum in now opening in the Vieux Village in Opelousas, right at the eastern gates of the city on U.S. Highway 190.

The ribbon cutting is at 9 AM today. Hours of operation are scheduled from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10-3 on Saturday.

Click here for an article on the new museum.

After viewing the museum, come out to our Cemetery Tours at St. Landry Catholic Church. There, you can learn more about just who these orphans were and who they became. Click here for Tour information.