Magazines
Books
Videos
Museums
Poem

Magazine Article
A Family at Last by Ann Zemke  Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, January/February 2005.  Purchase this issue by calling 1-800-590-3465 and referencing issue #369.  Cost $5.99
Read the Article >

Books
The Orphan Trains by Annette R. Fry  Comment: Juvenile book with thorough history of the orphan trains

We Rode the Orphan Trains by Andrea Warren  Comment: Juvenile book with personal stories of orphan train riders top>

Orphan Train Rider:  One boy's true story by Andrea

Warren  Comment:  Juvenile book with very good personal story of one orphan train rider and his old/new families

Orphan Trains and Their Precious Cargo by Clark Kidder  Comment: Good history, plus several personal stories of orphan train riders top>

Orphan Trains:  The story of Charles Loring Brace and the children he saved and failed by Stephen O' Connor  Comment:  Very detailed information about CL Brace's life and the orphan trains.  Not many personal stories of orphan train riders.

Rodzina by Karen Cushman  Comment:  Juvenile fiction.  Fictional account of an orphan train rider.  This book was named the #1 children's book in 2003. top>

Videos
Orphan Trains  PBS Documentary should be available through your local library.  This video tells the history of the orphan trains, and personal stories of some of the orphans.  It may be purchased from the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America (OTHSA), PO Box 322, Concordia, KS  66901  (Phone:  785-243-4471).  Cost for the video is $19.95 + $5.00 postage and handling. www.orphantrainriders.com top>

The End of the Line, Orphan Trains  Produced by Wendy Hearn, Heritage Account, Inc.   This video tells about a fascinating piece of American social history.  It tells the little known story of homeless youths from eastern cities who were resettled on farms in the Midwest.  Video may be requested by your public library from They University of Minnesota Libraries, Learning Resources Center, Room 204 Walter Library, 117 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN  55455. top>

The Children Remember  PBS Documentary.  This video, filmed at the State School Orphanage in Owatonna, Minnesota, tells the history of the State School orphanage as well as personal stories of several of the children who lived there.  Video is available for purchase online at www.orpahagemuseum.com/documentary. top>

Museums
Orphan Train Heritage Society of America (OTHSA), PO Box 322, Concordia, KS  66901 
Phone:785-243-4471 
www.orphantrainriders.com

Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children, 540 West Hills Circle
Owatonna, MN  55060, Phone:  1-800-423-6466  www.orphanagemuseum.com. top>

Poem
One Little Rose
I'd rather have one little rose
from the garden of a friend,
Than to have the choicest flowers
when my stay on earth must end.
I'd rather have the kindest words
which may now be said of me,
Than to be flattered when I'm gone
and my life has ceased to be.

I'd rather have a loving smile
from friends I know are true,
Than tears shed 'round my casket
when I've bade this world adieu.
Bring me all your flowers today
whether pink or white or red.
I'd rather have one blossom now
than a truckload when I'm dead.

            Wm. Nick Gikas, author

Note from Marjorie:  "I read this poem to a group at the Long Prairie (Minnesota) Nursing Home one Sunday at a service we had there.  It fits me just swell.  - - Mom Peterson" top>