Social history is an integral part of any city as it gives an insight into the lives of everyday people. Immigration is an important part of the social history of New York City as many people came from many different places to make it their new home. The Lower East Side Tenement Museum tells the stories of these individuals and both teaches and preserves the history of immigration in New York City.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum was founded in 1988 on Orchard Street with the aim of sharing the history of both immigrant and migrant experiences. Historian Ruth Abram had discovered an old tenement building at 97 Orchard Street that appeared to have been untouched for approximately 50 years. Artifacts were found inside the building that told stories of families that would have lived here in both the 19th and 20th centuries and since then, the museum has worked to preserve these important insights into the past.
Throughout the centuries millions of people have immigrated to America, many coming through New York City. There were also a number of migrants who had come to New York from other parts of the country, looking for opportunity.
From the 1800s and into the 20th century, the Lower East Side of Manhattan was predominantly an immigrant neighbourhood. The area consisted of a diverse group of communities, which included a large Jewish population by the early 1900s.
What is a tenement?
It was pointed out on our tour that when we think of the word “tenement” it’s often associated with the working class and those living in poorer conditions. However, the definition of a tenement, as stated by the New York City Tenement Act of 1867, is any dwelling that housed three or more independent families. As a result of an increase in population in New York City in the 19th century, more tenement housing was built to house more families. The apartments were quite narrow, normally consisted of 3 rooms and could easily have a family of 10 living in one unit.
Visiting the Lower East Side Tenement Museum
The museum consists of two buildings that contain recreated apartments from different time periods. The apartments can be visited by booking a tour through the museum website. A few of the tours include “Day in the Life: 1902“, where you can visit the recreated apartment of the Levine family, or the “Day in the Life: 1933” tour where you can visit the recreated apartment of the Baldizzi family. The museum also runs Neighborhood Walking Tours where you can explore centuries of history on the Lower East Side.
For a full list of tours, visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum website.
Exploring a Tenement: 1902 Tour
When I visited, I went on the “Exploring a Tenement: 1902” tour, which visited the recreated apartment of the Levine family, as well as gave a look at the preservation work the museum carries out. Harris and Jennie Levine were Jewish immigrants who lived on Orchard Street with their five children in the 1890s and into the early 1900s.
Like many immigrant families, they worked in the garment industry, and not only lived in their small three-room apartment, but also ran a factory out of their home. Many garment factories at the time would outsource contracts to home factories and it was often gruelling work. The Levine family would have worked at least a 60-hour work week from their apartment and they were often given just enough materials to work with. It was a high-pressure job with little room for error.
Overall, I would highly recommend this tour of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. We had a fantastic guide who gave great insights into the history of the family, the history of the area and the preservation work done to be able to continue to tell their story.
Key Information for Visiting the Lower East Side Tenement Museum
1. How do you get to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum?
The museum is located on (you guessed it!) the Lower East Side of Manhattan and is also not too far from Chinatown. It’s only a three-minute walk from Delancey Street/Essex Street subway station.
2. Do you need to book a tour to visit?
You do need to book tickets on a tour to visit the recreated tenement apartments, however you can browse the Museum Shop without having purchased tickets.
3. How much does it cost to visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum?
It’s approximately $30 USD for a tour ticket, which I thought was well worth it. You can visit here to see a full list of tours and prices.
4. How long do the tours last?
The tour I was on lasted approximately an hour, but you can check here for up to date timings.
5. What other historical things are there to do nearby?
The Lower East Side is a historical neighbourhood of New York City, which means there are lots of things to do nearby the museum. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to Katz’s Delicatessen, which is the oldest deli in the city. You’re also less than a five-minute walk to The Back Room, an original speakeasy that operated during the time of Prohibition.
This article’s information was last updated in December 2022.