TENEMENT MUSEUM
Its fitting that this ground-breaking museum sit in the downtown shadows of the uptown mega-museums. After all, the historic NYC tenement apartments housed immigrants often shunned and unwelcome. Still, the Tenement Museum is one of the citys most incredibly intimate and emotionally moving experiences.
Its a portal that takes you, quite literally, to the heart of tenement life. Namely, 97 Orchard Street. Built in 1863, this was the home of nearly 7000 working class immigrants. Nearing the turn of the century, rather than make the Government-mandated safety upgrades, the landlord chose to shutter 97 Orchard until the Tenement Museum discovered it many years later. Since then, the museum has used this tenement time capsule as a home base for reconstructing the lives and relaying the stories of its former occupants. They do this through precise census and public record as well as the oral history of those whose extended family once lived there. Youll feel their heart-ache, hunger and strife and acquaint yourself with the old world hope that was essential in day-to-day tenement living.
Book any one of their many tours in advance, then arrive early to catch the free documentary film and browse the wondrous collection of books and souvenirs. Of all the museums you may visit in NYC, this may just be the one that stays in your mind and heart the longest.
