Author Talk: Christina Baker Kline, a One Book, One Community Event
Residents of Hutchinson, MN and the greater community, through the shared experience of reading and discussing "Orphan Train: A Novel," will experience intergenerational contacts and connections, building a stronger, healthier community.
1) Acquired new/additional knowledge of a period in U.S. history where the foster care system relocated 250,000 homeless East Coast children via train to families in the Midwest. 2) Connected members of the community of all ages through reading, discussion, and hearing expert speakers on the orphan trains, building a stronger, healthier community. 3) Renewed interest in community members in learning about history, participating in local book clubs, as well as, future One Book, One Community events.
Heart of Hutchinson volunteer citizens in collaboration with the Hutchinson Public Library and McLeod History Center, and Hutchinson Public Schools planned and coordinated this event. The city of Hutchinson donated city facilities, the Hutchinson Event Ce
In February 2014, a program featuring orphan train descendants will allow Hutchinson area residents the opportunity to learn more about the history and legacy of orphan train riders. Those who have read or studied of the orphan train system for placing orphans from 1854 - 1929, will gain new knowledge and understanding of this era's child foster care system.
Residents, in particular, current child care system workers and clients, will examine and compare today's system of foster care with previous systems and analyze how practices, attitudes and beliefs have changed or remained the same. Through "Open Book Club," a related program to be held in March 2014 and hosted by the Hutchinson Public Library, an increased interest and participation in local book clubs is anticipated. Hutchinson Middle and High School will also offer book clubs to students, with the expectation of continued interest in future student book clubs.