: In the mid-19th century, cities like New York and Boston faced a crisis of "street children"—tens of thousands of homeless youth living in poverty, often turning to crime or facing starvation.
: While the Children's Aid Society was the largest, other groups like the New York Foundling Hospital and the New York Juvenile Asylum also participated. The Journey and "Selection"
: You can visit the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, Kansas, which serves as a museum and research center for descendants. The Past is Prologue: The Orphan Train Movement Orphan Train
The history of the Orphan Train has been revitalized in popular culture, most notably by Christina Baker Kline in her 2013 novel .
: Many children were legally adopted, treated as beloved family members, and given education and opportunities they never would have had. : In the mid-19th century, cities like New
: Others were viewed merely as free labor for farms. Instances of neglect, physical abuse, and the permanent separation of siblings were common. Modern Cultural Impact
: In 1853, Charles Loring Brace founded the Children's Aid Society . He believed that taking children out of "vile" urban environments and placing them with hardworking farm families would give them a better chance at becoming moral, productive citizens. The Past is Prologue: The Orphan Train Movement
: The book intertwines the story of Vivian, a 91-year-old former "Orphan Train rider," with Molly, a contemporary foster teen.