Community Education - Rochester, Minnesota

Dorothy A. Lund Nelson will guide you through a part of American history when children were placed out into homes across the country. Over a period of 75 years, over 400,000 children traveled by train to find new parents and families. Learn why the children traveled, what conditions they left behind, and who assisted them in finding a new family. Through a PowerPoint, videos, and many orphan train riders’ stories, you will find you'll want to learn more about these children.

The lands of Quarry Hill Park were once part of Rochester’s historic State Hospital grounds. Join other adults on a guided walking tour of the park to visit some of the interesting historic features that remain from a century of State Hospital use. For example, did you know that the hospital farmed over 1,000 acres and provided all the food required for all of their patients? From the cave to the cemetery to quarry operations, the history is rich and intriguing! We will cover about a mile and a half of up and down terrain. Participants should wear good walking shoes. Meet at the main nature center building.