The Tenement Museum: A Living History of New York City
The Tenement Museum is a New York City institution that tells the story of immigrant life in the city. The museum is housed in two historic tenement buildings on the Lower East Side. The museum offers tours, exhibitions, and public programs that give visitors a glimpse into the lives of the immigrants who once called this neighborhood home. The Tenement Museum was founded in 1988 by Ruth Edelman and Anita Jacobson. The two women were inspired by the British Museum, The Museum of London Docklands, which told the story of London's docklands and the immigrants who worked there. Jacobson and Edelman saw the potential to create a similar museum in New York City. Information can be found here.
They began by raising money to purchase and restore two tenement buildings on the Lower East Side. The first building, 97 Orchard Street, was built in 1863. It was home to generations of immigrant families, including the German-Jewish Gumpertz family and the Italian-American Baldizzi family. The second building, 103 Orchard Street, was built in 1869. It was initially a German-Jewish bakery and later became a home for Italian and Chinese immigrants. The Tenement Museum offers a variety of tours and exhibits that tell the stories of immigrant families who lived in the buildings. The museum also provides public programs, such as walking tours, films, and lectures. The goal of the Tenement Museum is to educate visitors about the immigrant experience in New York City and to preserve the history of the Lower East Side. Discover facts about Washington Square Park: New York City's Hidden Jewel.