Orphan Train (FULL)

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

: 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" Orphan Train

: By 1890, over 150,000 miles of track were used to transport these children. : It explores rootlessness, the search for identity,

: Many children were legally adopted, treated as beloved family members, and given education and opportunities they never would have had. The Journey and "Selection" : By 1890, over

: 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 :

The history of the Orphan Train has been revitalized in popular culture, most notably by Christina Baker Kline in her 2013 novel .