Last Train Home - Renee Wendinger
Renee Wendinger is from southern Minnesota and is the youngest of five children. Her mother, Sophia Hillesheim, a 1917 orphan train rider, was one of the children on 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! 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. Patrons 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 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. Participant evaluation and anecdotal responses will be collected.
Renee is an expert speaker on the subject of the orphan train and immigration experience and she offered a historical PowerPoint symposium and discussion for those in attendance.
The Heron Lake library scheduled a program the same day to reduce the contract.