Last Train Home - Renee Wendinger

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$100
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient Type
Libraries
Status
Completed
Start Date
August 2014
End Date
August 2014
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Research
Counties Affected
Redwood
Redwood
Project Overview
Renee Wendinger is from southern Minnesota and is the youngest of five children. Her mother, Sophia Hillesheim, 1917 orphan train rider, was one of the children of the orphan trains taking part in a phenomenal journey from New York City to the Midwest. As an avid historian, Rene has researched the epoch of the largest mass migration of children to occur in American history for decades. Inspired by her mother, Renee's books, Extra! Extra! The Orphan Trains and Newsboys of New York, and Last Train Home, an orphan train story, embrace authoritative research with compelling stories from the people who made history aboard the orphan trains of New York.
Project Details
23 participated
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota for 2013 Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 4
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$100
Other Funds Leveraged
$0
Direct expenses
$100
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Patrons attending can expect to learn more about the orphan trains and people sent to our area. Patrons will learn about the history of families and their perspectives on being sent to MN on the trains. Patrons may have a better understanding of the hardships these children suffered and the struggles they have been through. This author may encourage patrons to discover their own family history or that of their neighbors. Renee's books are entertaining and thought provoking and everyone will benefit from knowing the history behind the Orphan Train, the children and their families. Anecdotal responses will be collected.

Measurable Outcome(s)

23 people went away with a new understanding and appreciation of the orphans and their ordeals. These patrons learned about the history of local families and this may encourage some of them to find out more about their own families. Many of the people in the attendance knew very little about the orphan trains and how the children became orphans and then traveled to the Midwest.

Source of Additional Funds

Friends of the Library helped with set up and take down for the program. They also provided refreshments. KLGR radio station allowed the librarian to discuss the program on the air.

Project Manager
First Name
Jim
Last Name
Trojanowski
Organization Name
Plum Creek Library System
Street Address
290 S. Lake Street, P.O. Box 697
City
Worthington
State
MN
Zip Code
56187
Phone
(507) 376-5803
Email
jtrojanowski@plumcreeklibrary.net
Administered By
Administered by
Location

1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266

Phone
651-582-8200