Orphan Trains

Orphan Trains were a social movement in the United States from the 1850s to the 1920s, aimed at finding homes for orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children in urban areas, particularly in New York City. Organizations, notably the Children's Aid Society, arranged for trains to transport these children to rural communities in the Midwest, where families could adopt or foster them. This initiative sought to provide stability and a better life for the children while addressing the growing social issues in cities. Many of these children went on to lead successful lives, although their experiences varied widely.