louisiana orphan train museum

We knew about the Orphan Trains but it was only after we read the book, "From Cradle to the Grave" that we were impressed to visit the Museum. Our tour guide was a man whose grandfather had come to Louisiana on an Orphan Train. There are many pictures of those who came as orphans and some showed them when they arrived and when they became adults. The guide was so knowledgeable about the artifacts as well as the stories of the pictures. We were there about an hour and a half along with another family who had ties to an orphan. It was a very enjoyable visit and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is very easy to locate off highway I-49 and there are other historic buildings in the same complex.

After reading the book Orphan Train by Christina Kline, a stop at the orphan train museum in Opelousas LA was a must-do while traveling through the area. It was not a disappointment. Two direct descendants of orphans from the train were volunteering at the museum at the time we visited, and they made the history of the orphans come alive. The museum has done an excellent job of locating descendants and of displaying photos and memorabilia. In fact, one of the orphans who lived in the area and was a supporter of the museum died recently. I highly recommend this museum for those who have heard of the orphan trains and for those who will be surprised to learn of them.

A former Train Depot was restored to become the museum which features artifacts documents and memorabilia dedicated to those who were part of the Orphan train riders who traveled from New York to Louisiana.

Did not know about this, learn alot about the history of the Oprhan Train name Mary Jane, and the children of those days.

We and another couple were on our way to southern La for a vacation, late March '14. As we travel we look for local places to visit. We saw info on the Orphan Train Museum. The OTM was as highlight of our trip. We were blessed that the two hosts were actual decendents of children of the orphan trains. This event is a very awaking on some of country's dark history. The story is worth learning before another generation is no longer available to tell the story. Sure would recommend you take a little time and add the Orphan Train Museum to you must visit list.

On the walls inside are pictures and information about the children and the families that adopted them. The historical information was well presented. The people at the museum had more stories to tell than we had time for. I wish we had more time to spend there to explore the other buildings on the nearby grounds.

My wife and I stopped here. This is a very interesting place to learn about the history The Orphan Train Movement. There are some local cemeteries nearby within walking distance that are also very interesting to see.From their website:Between 1854 and 1929 two charity institutions, The Children's Aid Society and The New York Foundling Hospital, gathered resources to help the more than 250,000 homeless or abandoned children living on the streets of New York City. The plan was to take as many children off the streets of New York and place them into rural homes across America. The Orphan Train Movement is recognized as the beginning of the modern foster care system. It was responsible for bringing more than 2,000 children to Louisiana. Despite the hardship of leaving their only known life behind, those children rode the orphan trains for new and better lives.The last orphan train ride to Louisiana was in 1929. It was in that year the program ceased in large part due to growing measures by state legislatures across the country to restrict or forbid the interstate placement of children.

We attended an annual program about the orphan train and were treated to a wonderful thoughtfull presentation that included performances from the local youth, refreshments, and door prizes. I loved all of the personal stories and the warm friendly people at the museum. Well worth seeing even if you are not connected to the orphan train.

Have never been able to find the train station open. The houses are nice and interesting, but it is difficult to get inside the homes.