Ep 4. The Orphan Trains

In American Experience season 8 episode 4, entitled "The Orphan Trains," viewers are taken on a journey back in time to explore one of the most controversial and little-known chapters in American history. In the mid-19th century, there were an estimated 30,000 homeless children living on the streets of New York City alone. In an effort to help these children find homes and families, a charitable organization known as the Children's Aid Society developed a unique program that would come to be known as the orphan trains.

The orphan trains were essentially a series of trains that transported children from urban areas, where they lived in squalor, to rural communities in the Midwest and West, where families were in need of labor. The hope was that these families would take in the children and provide them with a stable home and a fresh start in life. However, the reality of the program was far more complicated and often tragic than many of its proponents could have imagined.

Through interviews with historians, orphan train riders, and their descendants, "The Orphan Trains" sheds light on this dark chapter in American history, exploring the hopes, dreams, and struggles of the children who were caught up in this system. The episode reveals the incredible resilience and courage of these young people, many of whom were as young as four years old when they were sent away from their families. It also highlights the many challenges that they faced, from the racism and prejudice of their new communities to the harsh physical labor they were often forced to undertake.

At its heart, "The Orphan Trains" is a story of human connection and resilience in the face of adversity. It shows how the worst circumstances can bring out the best in people, and how even the smallest acts of kindness can make a world of difference in the lives of those who are struggling. It also offers a sobering reminder of the ways in which our country's history of systemic poverty, racism, and inequality have impacted some of its most vulnerable citizens.

Overall, "The Orphan Trains" is a fascinating and thought-provoking episode of American Experience that illuminates a little-known aspect of our country's history. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the social and cultural history of the United States, as well as those who are interested in exploring the lives and struggles of the most marginalized members of our society. So, this episode gives us an idea about how we neglected and mistreated poor children in the past and the consequence of such actions.