to inspire and educate about The Gladney Center and about the institution of adoption.

As the only facility in the country with such a mission, the Visitors Center offers a unique opportunity to explore the process of adoption from different points of view, and gain an appreciation for adoption as a loving way to build families.

The long and colorful history of The Gladney Center unfolds through authentic artifacts and pictures dating as far back as the 1880s, while touch-screen videos help bring key Gladney personalities to life. Among these real-life heroes was Edna Gladney, Executive Director for more than three decades, whose display of personal belongings includes three of the wonderful hats which became her trademark.

In addition to agency history, exhibits also tell the story of adoption. First person accounts describe the range of emotions felt by birth parents as they make an adoption plan for their babies, and by adoptive parents as their dreams of parenthood finally come true.

Children and adults adopted from the agency also share their view of adoption and what it means to be a "Gladney baby."

For very young visitors, the Children's Corner features age-appropriate books and toys to help promote early understanding of the concept of adoption. A favorite Children's Corner activity is making rubbings at a special table inset with Texas and adoption-related icons.

Gladney adoptive parents have the opportunity to write brief messages describing their experiences and feelings about Gladney. These messages are displayed in the Visitors Center. Here are a few of the many messages on display:

Thank you for helping us complete our long awaited dream, having a
child. Our son is an angel. The triangle of love will never be broken!

Gladney brought our family together and blessed our lives with the
true meaning of unconditional love. This place has given so many people
so very much; a lifetime of joy and love; a lifetime of togetherness.
Thank you Gladney and for all the people who are a part of your home- you
have forever blessed our lives.

Thanks to God, the Gladney Center and three sets of brave
birthparents we have three beautiful children! We often say that they are
"what prayers look like with flesh wrapped around them!"

Thank you for making us a family. Without your help, we would be
incomplete. But now we're whole, thanks to Gladney.

The Visitors Center is open during the Gladney Center's regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To schedule a group led by a docent, please call 817-922-6000.