Orphan Train May 2026

: Upon arrival, children were often lined up on a platform or in a town hall for prospective parents to inspect. This process was sometimes dehumanizing, with adults checking children’s teeth or muscles as if evaluating livestock. Placement Realities :

: It explores rootlessness, the search for identity, and the shared trauma of being "unwanted" across different generations. Quick Facts Duration : 1854–1929 (75 years). Orphan Train

: 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 : Upon arrival, children were often lined up

The history of the Orphan Train has been revitalized in popular culture, most notably by Christina Baker Kline in her 2013 novel . Quick Facts Duration : 1854–1929 (75 years)

: By 1890, over 150,000 miles of track were used to transport these children.

: The book intertwines the story of Vivian, a 91-year-old former "Orphan Train rider," with Molly, a contemporary foster teen.