MARSHALL, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Marshall Public Library and the Clark County Historical Society are presenting an exhibit called “All Aboard the Orphan Train” exploring a movement that lasted 75 years.
The exhibit is on display now through November 10 in the main room of the Marshall Public Library. The exhibit will cover the Orphan Train Movement which operated from 1854 to 1929 in the United States. The exhibit speaks on the establishment of orphanages, who started the Placing Out Program, and what the Children’s Aid Society did to relocate children among other topics. You will get to dive into individual stories and challenges children faced, many who didn’t even know they were adopted. It also speaks about the train agents who placed children in homes and looked after their welfare, and learn about the criteria organizations used to foster families.
A special program featuring Clark County’s Orphan Train is going to be held on Thursday, November 7, at 6:30 PM at Harlan Hall by Marshall Public Library Head Librarian and IL Humanities Road Scholar Jamie Poorman. No registration is required to visit the exhibit. For more information, you can call 217-826-2535, visit the website, or check the Facebook page.
