Last Train Home: An Orphan Train Story - Renee Wendinger
Renee Wendinger is from southern Minnesota and the youngest of five children. Her mother, Sophia Hillesheim, was one of the children on the orphan trains taking the phenomenal journey from New York City to the Midwest. Renee Wendinger has researched the epoch of the largest mass migration of children to occur in American history for decades. Inspired by her mother, her books, "Extra! Extra! The Orphan Trains and the Newsboys of New York", and "Last Train Home", embrace authoritative research with compelling stories from the people who made history aboard the orphan trains of New York.
40 participated
Patrons attending can expect to learn more about the orphan trains and people sent to our area. They will learn about the history of families and their perspectives on being sent to Minnesota on the trains. Patrons may have a better understanding of the hardships these children suffered and the struggles that they have had. The author may encourage others to discover their own family history or that of their neighbors. Participant evaluations and anecdotal responses will be collected.
Several people shared their family histories of the Orphan Train and people sent to the area. They described the struggles and hardships that they faced.
KKOJ Radio ($35.00); Friends of the Library (volunteers); Jackson County Pilot ($25.00); Jackson County Central Community Education (promotion); Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce (promotion).