The Origins of the Orphan Train Movement & the Children’s Aid Society

Charles Loring Brace decided early in his life that he wanted to work with the homeless children of New York. He witnessed firsthand the poverty impacting children in New York and knew he had to take action. In 1853 he founded the Children’s Aid Society and the first Orphan Train left New York in 1854 with a goal of placing children in homes. This segment from the West by Orphan Train documentary includes archival photographs and interviews with Amanda Wahlmeier, former Curator at the National Orphan Train Complex; and Renée Wendinger, historian, author and daughter of an Orphan Train rider.
Educational resource published by Iowa Public Television. iptv.pbslearningmedia.org/col...
The West by Orphan Train documentary was produced by Colleen Bradford Krantz and Clark Kidder.
Video excerpts provided courtesy of Colleen Bradford Krantz and Clark Kidder. westbyorphantrain.com
© 2014 Colleen Bradford Krantz and Clark Kidder
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