More than thirty four thousand abandoned and homeless children scrapping for survival on the streets of an American city. True or false?

Annette Harrison - Orphan Trains

True! New York City, 1854

Orphan Trains: From New York to Missouri

Annette Harrison - Storytelle, Educator, and Author

How did this happen? Who were these children, and where did they come from? More importantly, what became of them?

Dynamic storyteller Annette Harrison will give you answers in this fascinating interactive exploration of a forgotten chapter in Missouri and American history. Characterizations, letters, first person accounts and music weave a vivid image of the personalities and events behind this dramatic forerunner of today's foster care system. (Ages 10 and up.)

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