: 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
: 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
: It explores rootlessness, the search for identity, and the shared trauma of being "unwanted" across different generations. Quick Facts Duration : 1854–1929 (75 years). : Others were viewed merely as free labor for farms
: By 1890, over 150,000 miles of track were used to transport these children. The Past is Prologue: The Orphan Train Movement
: 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.
: 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"